GM, Ford and DaimlerChrysler saw sales decline in 2003 while several import and ''transplant' brands, including Toyota, Honda and BMW, posted record full-year sales.

GM's US sales were down 9.5% in December and 2.4% in the full year. Ford's were down 4.6% for the year, and Chysler's down 3.5%.

Toyota's sales rose 6.3% to over 1.8 million units, while Honda and Acura sales were up 8.2%. As this week's Detroit Show indicates, the Big Three are relying on a major expansion of new product launches to make further increases in market share harder for their rivals this year.