Rising fuel costs hurt Big Three’s sales

But Japanese automakers hit the right note with subcompacts

DETROIT – Rising gas prices took a toll on the U.S. auto industry in May, flattening sales and causing steep declines for some trucks and sport utilities but giving a boost to Japanese automakers whose new subcompacts hit the market at the right time.

General Motors Corp. said sales were down 12 percent for the month, while Ford Motor Co. reported a 2 percent decline and DaimlerChrysler AG

At the same time, Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co. saw double-digit sales increases as consumer demand for more fuel-efficient vehicles grew. Toyota