1980 car sales sagged, but Chrysler ended strong

Domestic car sales by the Big Three US automakers in 1980 dropped 21 percent from 1979 to the industry's lowest level since 1961. But the year ended happily for Chrysler Corporation, which said the final 10-day selling period of December set a sales record for its all-important new K-car.

Ford Motor Company sales declined 30 percent; General Motors Corporation, 16 percent; and Chrysler sales, 27.6 percent. Ford and GM predicted an improvement in 1981. Figures were not immediately available for American Motors Corporation.