SUGAR LAND--December 31, 2008--Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--2008 has ended up being a dismal year for the entire Industrial Manufacturing Industry in the United States. While the year began relatively normal for the industry, the combination of a slumping economy, the continued housing crisis combined with the collapse on Wall Street and the rapid decline of the automotive sector placed the industry in dire straits by year's end. Spending has declined dramatically over the last 12 months, and all indications are that this will continue well into, if not throughout, 2009.

Companies featured: General Motors Corporation (NYSE:GM), Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F)