Auto numbers reflect the ripple effect of incentive programs pulling forward sales from the fourth quarter into the third quarter.
Even before the hurricane hit, rising energy prices were having a dampening effect on the economy,
The problem is the combined effects of the disruptions from Katrina and Rita, plus the ripple effects in the economy from higher energy prices,
The G-7 is quite impotent on oil. They can say what they want, but they won't have a lot of effect on prices.