GM gains; Chrysler, Ford, Toyota U.S. sales slide
For the month, GM delivered 252,565 units, up from 247,464 a year ago. The Detroit-based automaker said retail sales were up 11 percent. Sales of Chevrolet's fuel-sipping Aveo and Cobalt models each were up 65 percent. GM said truck sales were up 3 percent from a year ago.
Chrysler LLC said its January sales of 137,392 units were down 12 percent from 156,308 in January 2007.
Auburn Hills-based Chrysler said sales of its Dodge brand vehicles were up 42 percent, with strong demand for the Avenger, Caliber and Charger models among others. Like its rivals, Chrysler is reducing the number of vehicles it provides to daily rental car fleets; those sales were down 18 percent for the month.
Ford Motor Co. said its U.S. January sales dipped 4.1 percent compared to 2006, despite continued strong demand for its crossover Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX models.
The Dearborn-based automaker sold 159,914 units in January, down from 166,835 a year ago.
Ford's compact Focus sedan also was in demand last month, with sales up 44 percent from a year ago. The company, which is withdrawing from sales to daily rental car fleets, said retail sales were up despite a 16.8 percent reduction in combined sales for its Ford, Mercury and Lincoln brands. Volvo was the only Ford Motor Co. brand that posted a net increase, with sales up 2.9 percent over January 2007.
Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc. said its January U.S. sales of 171,849 vehicles were off 2.3 percent from 175,850 in January 2007.
American Honda Motor Co. sales also were down 2.3 percent for the month, to 98,511 units from 100,790 a year ago.
Nissan North America Inc. said it sold 76,605 units in January, down from 73,680 in January 2007.
Volkswagen AG said U.S. sales at its main brand fell 13 percent to 14,411 vehicles from 16,610 vehicles a year earlier.
Mercedes-Benz USA said its January sale of 18,275 units was a 7.1 percent increase over 17,069 in the same month a year ago.
Kia Motors America said it sold 21,355 units in January, down 5.1 percent from 22,524 a year ago.
Audi of America Inc. said it sold 6,418 vehicles in January, up 0.3 percent from 6,399 units in January 2007. Detroit News
02/01/08 Audi of America, Inc. announced today that its record-setting sales pace continues. Sales for the month of January totaled 6,418 vehicles, an increase of 0.3% from last year’s figures. GM dealers in the United States delivered 252,565 vehicles in January, an increase of 2.1 percent compared with the same month last year. The company continued its efforts to focus on improved retail sales, showing an increase of more than 11 percent.