US sales are down and a once-reliably profitable joint venture in China is losing money, but General Motors still managed to post a third quarter profit of $3 billion Tuesday, slightly less than it made a year ago. The Detroit automaker reported $48.8 billion in revenue from July through September, 10% more than last year, aided by US average vehicle sale prices that were steady with last quarter at over $49,000. Chief Financial Officer Paul Jacobson said that while overall sales in the US, GM's most profitable market, fell 2.2% in the quarter, much of that drop was from sales to large fleet buyers. Sales to individuals, which generally are more profitable, rose 3%. While other automakers have gotten stuck with too many high-priced vehicles when many buyers are looking for lower costs, GM has yet to see such a shift, Jacobson told reporters. I think that the consumer has held up remarkably well for us, he said, adding that next year should be consistent with this year as the Federa