GM keeps the U.S. sales lead as Toyota narrows the gap with hybrids.

Reuters reported that GM's third-quarter U.S. sales fell 5.5% to 670,974 vehicles, while Toyota sales edged up to 633,223. Corolla hybrid sales rose nearly 36% from a year earlier to 13,003.

Cox Automotive estimated the Detroit Three's combined quarterly share at about 36%, with Asian brands expected to exceed half of new-vehicle sales. Affordability remained difficult as average transaction prices increased.