US car sales have fallen dramatically, although slightly less than had been feared.

Compared with a year earlier General Motors' sales fell 45%, Ford by 41%, and Chrysler 39%, reports The Daily Telegraph.

Larger, less fuel-efficient cars have been particularly slow sellers, with demand for Ford's Explorer SUV faling 70%.

The figures come at a time when GM and Chrysler are fighting for survival.

President Barack Obama has given GM a 60-day deadline to restructure its business while Chrysler has 30 days to secure a partnership with Fiat.

Meanwhile, workers at failed car parts group Visteon, staged sit-in protests at factories in Belfast, Basildon, and Enfield in defiance at the redundancy terms offered by the company's former owner and major customer, Ford.