While Ford reported a nearly 6% gain in vehicle sales in September compared to the same month in 2012, General Motors’ sales fell 11%, much more than analysts had expected. The Chrysler group managed a modest 1% rise.
September this year had fewer selling days than in 2012, the automobile makers all emphasized.
None of them had expected to see any significant rise in vehicle sales compared to September 2012. This year, the Labor Day holiday weekend was counted in August sales, unlike 2012.
Seasonally adjusted estimates for all vehicles sold in the United States in September 2013 stand at 15.8 million units, compared to 14.5 million in September 2012.
General Motors vehicle sales
Cadillac and Buick rose 6% and 10% respectively, while Chevrolet fell 14%.
GMC truck sales dropped by 9.7%. GM says its new pickup trucks are only now arriving at showrooms. The company added that it is struggling to keep up with the demand for the most popular version.
Fleet sales fell 27% while retail sales dropped 6%. On a selling day-adjusted basis, however, retail sales increased by 2%.
Kurt McNeil, vice president, U.S. sales operations, General Motors, said:
“We held our own when it comes to retail market share this month thanks to strong new products, including the Chevrolet Impala, Buick Encore, GMC Sierra and the Cadillac ATS and XTS. We expect a strong finish to the year and more growth in 2014 thanks to new products and a healthier economy.”
Ford vehicle sales
Ford sales increased by 6% compared to September of last year. It sold 185,146 vehicles. The company said its 2013 September sales were the highest for the month since 2006, before the Great Recession.
More than 60,000 units of the F-Series trucks have been sold each month for the last five months. Ford says pickup truck sales have been the main driver for this month’s overall increase.
The new Fusion mid-size sedan saw sales increase by 62% (19,972). The Fiesta compact sold 5,043 units, an increase of 29%.
Ken Czubay, vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service, Ford, said:
“The combination of great styling, fuel economy and value delivered another solid monthly result for Ford in September. We’re particularly encouraged by the strength of the Fusion and Fiesta, especially in coastal markets. The F-Series also keeps delivering, with our fifth-straight month surpassing the 60,000-vehicle mark and continuing as America’s best-selling vehicle.”
Chrysler vehicle sales
Chrysler boasts 42 consecutive months of rising sales. In September the company sold 143,017 vehicles, an overall increase of 1% compared to September last year.
The increase was largely due to pickup truck sales. Ram Truck sales rose 8%.
The new Dodge Durango did well, with sales up 66%, while the Jeep Grand Cheokee rose 19%.
In a press release, Chrysler stated:
“Heading in to the final quarter of 2013, year-to-date sales are 82% of 2012 totals, and 99% of 2011 total sales.”
Toyota vehicle sales rose 4% to 164,570 units (after adjusting for the two fewer selling days). Unadjusted sales were down 4.3%.
Volkswagen sold 31,920 units, a drop of 12.2%.
Nissan sold 86,868 units, down 5.5%.
