In conference calls yesterday, both G.M. and Ford said sales would probably weaken but also tried to put the best face on the situation.

But should sales weaken, hours can be adjusted downward so an employee could become a part time, losing health insurance and pay.

The Northeast was the only region of the country where sales weakened.

As sales for medical equipment weakened at home and abroad, the company laid off 250 employees, mostly production workers.

When Americans trim their spending, sales weaken, pushing Corporate America to lay off workers and hold the line on pay increases.

To be sure, sales have weakened and its stock has suffered - down 70 percent from its peak in 2000.

Partly as a consequence, retail sales and business spending on capital equipment have weakened appreciably.

Last year started off well, but then sales weakened.

Cadillac K-body production was consolidated there in the 1990s, but sales were weakening.

The company, which is based in Peoria, Ill., said sales of its equipment abroad had weakened by about 1 percent in the quarter.