Washington, Feb 3 (DPA) US carmakers Ford and General Motors Tuesday posted strong gains in January sales, while Japan\’s Toyota posted a steep drop as consumers fretted over the unprecedented recall of more than 5 million cars in the US.
Toyota’s sales tumbled to 83,279 in January, down 29 percent compared to the same month a year earlier.
The world’s largest carmaker was forced last week to halt sales and production on eight models because of sticking gas pedals blamed for dozens of deaths. The company said Monday it had found a solution and production would resume Feb 8.
Toyota’s woes catapulted Ford back into second place on the US market, at least for the time being. Ford sold 116,277 vehicles in January, up 25 percent from last year.
General Motors, the largest US carmaker, reported a 14.1-per-cent gain in January to 146,315 vehicles as it continues to recover from last year’s bankruptcy.
