Chicago, Oct 3 (IANS) The “Big Three” US automakers announced Tuesday US auto sales in September, with Chrysler posting the biggest year-over-year increase and General Motors (GM) and Ford reporting strong passenger car sales.
They all claimed September successes, as auto sales continue to be a source of strength in the uncertain American economy, reported Xinhua.
Chrysler Group LLC said it notched the best September sales since 2007, while GM also pegged last month as its highest September sales since 2008. Although year-over-year total sales for Ford Motor Company remained flat, Ford September retail sales posted a four percent year-over-year increase, and September small car sales logged their best sales since 2002.
GM also reported strong small car sales, with sales of GM’s mini, small and compact vehicles up a combined 97 percent. GM passenger car sales were up a total of 29 percent, and GM praised their importance to the automaker’s US operation.
“Passenger cars have been the launch point for a broad and deep GM product offensive,” said Kurt McNeil, vice president of US sales operations. “Auto sales will continue to be a bright spot for the US economy, which is particularly good news for GM as we walk into an even stronger cadence of new products in 2013 and 2014.”
Chrysler sold a total of 142,041 cars in September, with a year-on-year increase of 12 percent.
Sales for the namesake Chrysler brand logged their best September sales since 2007, with the Chrysler 200 sedan setting a September sales record.
Other highlights included an all-time sales record for the Fiat brand, which posted a 51 percent gain. The Dodge brand also had a strong September, with the Dart posting a 72 percent monthly sales increase, and the Avenger and Journey models each posting September sales records.
Ford September sales totaled 174,976 cars, with increases reported in both small and larger vehicles.
Small car sales rose 73 percent since the same time last year, with the Focus, C-Max and Fiesta models totaling a combined 25,628 vehicles in September.
