Is the U.S. Slump Spreading? Part 2

American automakers are all still having big problems selling cars in the United States, but their international sales growth is staggering.

A quick look at first-quarter international sales shows General Motors posting a 20 percent jump, with notable strength in Russia, China, and Brazil. Some 64 percent of GM sales came from overseas. In Ford's first quarter reported last week, it earned a profit everywhere except in North America. European and South American demand boosted its profits to a surprise $100 million gain in the quarter.

Also, newcomers like India's Tata Motors are gaining clout. Most recently, Tata bought the Land Rover and Jaguar lines from Ford in a $1.7 billion deal approved last week by the European Union.

Tags: cars | international trade | sales | economic growth

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