(AP) -- March proved to be another dismal month for U.S. auto sales, as low consumer confidence and job insecurity kept buyers away from showrooms.

General Motors led the slide with a 45 percent U.S. sales plunge compared with a year earlier, while Ford reported a 41 percent drop. Sales at Toyota and Chrysler both dropped 39 percent, while Honda reported a 36 percent decline.

Detroit-based GM sold a total of 155,334 light vehicles, while Ford sold a total of 131,102. Ford's total came in slightly below that of Toyota, which reported U.S. sales of 132,802 units. Despite the declines, GM, Ford and Toyota all posted double-digit improvements from February. That's when the U.S. sales overall hit their lowest point in more than 27 years.

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