US Auto Sales Show Spark in April With Positive —…–6 Outlook

- By Mayank Marwah

Auto sales in the U.S. car market picked up momentum in April with demand for trucks and SUVs soaring high. While General Motors (GM) saw negative sales movement for the month, sales at Ford (NYSE:F) and Chrysler remained positive. The industry now seems to be all set to break last year’s record of delivering –7.5 million vehicles.

Availability of cheap gas, along with easy car financing and the fact that April had one extra selling day, drove auto sales significantly. Analysts at Kelley Blue Book estimated that the industry sold more than –.5 million vehicles in April to U.S. customers, up 4% from last year comparable month. The industry did not rely on incentives this time. The robust sales gain was all due to the strong customer demand. Buyers bought vehicles at record prices.


Jeff Schuster, senior vice president with LMC automotive in Troy said: “It’s a very nice rebound from the softness we saw in March,” He further added “The U.S. economy is set up pretty well to weather the global slowdown. The next several months will be the real test.” Here’s a detailed look at the performance of the automakers in April.

Performance of the U.S. automakers

The top U.S. automaker General Motors saw ‘.5% sales decline by selling —59,557 vehicles in April. Daily rental sales plunged. The company’s four major brands failed to impress. The company delivered to the private buyers —……,656 vehicles, up ‘% from the same period last year.



Data from Goodcarbadcar

Crosstown rival Ford reported strong sales gain, up 4% year-over-year delivering ——9,7‘9 vehicles. The F-Series had put up a good show, selling 7…,……… vehicles for the second consecutive month, up –‘% year-over-year. Ford Explorer saw ——% sales gain. Ford’s overall performance was also supported by the huge volumes of sales of its SUVs, up 7.7% from the same period last year.



Data from Goodcarbadcar

Fiat Chrysler Automobile sold –99,6‘– vehicles in April, up 6% year-over-year. The sales gain was due to double-digit sales growth of Jeep and Ram brands, up –7% and –—%. This month was the best month for the company in a decade. Moreover, the company is estimating the U.S. auto industry to hit record sales number of nearly –8 million (estimated to sell –7.9 million units) this year, which is a positive sign.

Performance of the other auto makers

The world’s largest auto maker Toyota (TM) witnessed ‘.8% sales improvement on the back of solid sales gain of its small SUV RAV4, up ‘—% year-over-year. By contrast, Lexus luxury brand did not sell well, down 4% to —4,88— vehicles. Toyota division sales spiked 5%.