March 29, 2024

U.S. Carmakers Post Strongest July Sales Since 2006

General Motors, the nation’s largest automaker, posted the largest increase, of 16 percent, with double-digit sales growth for all four of its brands. Ford Motor Company and the Chrysler Group both said sales rose 11 percent last month, on the strength of pickup trucks and smaller, more fuel-efficient cars.

“For G.M., July was the most well-balanced month of the year from a retail sales standpoint; trucks were hot, but so were small cars and family vehicles,” said Kurt McNeil, vice president for United States sales operations. “Our experience shows that the difference between good sales and great sales in a slow-growth economy is how many new products you have to offer, and we are starting to hit our sweet spot.”

Toyota said its sales rose 16.5 percent, while Nissan reported an increase of 10.9 percent for the month. Volkswagen was the only automaker to report a drop in sales, of 3.3 percent.

Over all, the monthly sales rate puts annual industrywide sales at 15.8 million vehicles for the year, up from 14.1 million last year.

As in recent months, pickup trucks were especially popular last month as a recovery in housing and energy, coupled with pent-up demand, drew shoppers into dealerships, the automakers said.

Sales for G.M.’s trucks rose 44 percent. Ford said its F-Series sales rose 23 percent, while Chrysler’s Ram Truck brand reported a 31 percent sales increase.

Shoppers also sought out small cars as they downsized and prioritized fuel efficiency, said Erich Merkle, Ford’s United States sales analyst.

Sales of Ford’s small cars, including the Focus, Fiesta and C-Max, rose 32 percent for the best month since 2000.

The newly redesigned Chevrolet Impala midsize sedan also had strong gains, rising 38 percent, helped by its recent No. 1 ranking in Consumer Reports last week. The ranking was the first time in 20 years that the magazine had given an American sedan the top spot.

“This is the segment I love to watch,” said Michelle Krebs of Edmunds.com. “It is such a vicious battlefield, and an important one, as it is the biggest single segment in the business.”

Chrysler Group said that sales of its Fiat and Jeep brands held steady at 2 percent as the automaker prepared to unveil the new Jeep Cherokee later this year. Dodge sales rose 18 percent, led by the Durango utility vehicle and the Dart sedan, while sales for the Chrysler brand fell 4 percent last month.

Article source: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/02/business/us-carmakers-post-strongest-july-sales-since-2006.html?partner=rss&emc=rss