Automakers are set to release their August sales data on Wednesday. And just about everybody expects the numbers to be down significantly from a year ago. That's because gas prices are still near record highs, the overall economy is in a slump and there's continued trouble in the credit markets.

But analysts say August sales probably won't be as bad as July's, which hit a 16-year low. They say that's mainly because of General Motors' late-month employee pricing offer. It covers almost all of GM's 2008 models and some 2009 models.

Most of the major automakers posted double-digit sales declines last month, with only Nissan reporting an increase.