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They were more than assisted in their restraint by banks, which have started to make it increasingly difficult to get auto loans, especially for customers with marginal credit, as the nation simultaneously battles woes in the housing, credit and energy sectors.

For example, he said, customers with pickups, Jeep Commanders and Jeep Grand Cherokees are now looking to vehicles such as the Jeep Liberty and Dodge Nitro.

Article Link: Auto sales down 12% as Americans tighten wallets | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press