Honda Tops Chrysler in U.S. Sales

Honda Motor Co. passed Chrysler Group LLC in U.S. sales last year and may have built more cars and trucks at North American plants than its rival for the first time as a slump in purchases reshapes the industry.

The Japanese automaker sold 1.15 million vehicles in the U.S. in 2009, moving into fourth place ahead of Chrysler’s 931,402, according to company reports today. Honda produced 1.03 million autos in the U.S., Canada and Mexico last year, spokesman Ed Miller said in an interview today. Automotive News estimates that Chrysler’s regional output was 932,962.

“Chrysler’s output was cut drastically throughout the year, so in that sense it’s not surprising," said Ed Kim, an analyst at AutoPacific Inc. in Tustin, California. “But it is a reflection of Honda’s very long-term investment in America. It’s 28 years since they started building cars here."