U.S. auto sales fall in Q1 as chip shortage slows factories

FILE -GMC pick-up trucks are lined up on the sales lot at the Albrecht Auto Group dealership, Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, in Wakefield, Mass. U.S. new-vehicle sales were expected to fall around 15% in the first quarter compared with a year ago, as the global computer chip shortage continued to slow factories amid high consumer demand. General Motors reported Friday that its sales were down 20% for the quarter, while Toyota sales were off 15%. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)