|
U.S.
auto sales were the strongest in any month since July 2005. The
annualized selling rate in August was 17.8 million vehicles,
according to Autodata Corp, well above expectations of 17.3
million.
The six largest automakers in the U.S. market all beat the sales
forecasts of industry analysts, with Toyota, Honda, Nissan and
GM reporting declines that were not as severe as expected.
Roller-coaster stock markets appeared to have no major impact on
auto purchases, which each month are an early indicator of
consumer spending.
“All of the economic fundamentals that we look at, including job
growth, disposable income and fuel prices, are in good shape and
that should keep sales strong,” said Kurt McNeil, head of U.S.
sales for General Motors Co <GM.N>.
Bill Fay, head of Toyota brand sales in the U.S. market, pointed
out that U.S. consumer confidence in August was at its highest
since January.
GM, the No. 1 automaker in the U.S. market, reported that sales
dropped 0.7 percent.
Ford Motor Co <F.N>, the No. 2 U.S. automaker by vehicle sales,
showed a gain of 5 percent, easily outdistancing expectations.
Toyota Motor Corp <7203.T><TM.N>, No. 3 in U.S. sales, reported
an 8.8 percent decline in August.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV <FCAU.N><FCHA.MI> showed a rise of
2 percent, boosted by Jeep SUVs. Analysts had been looking for a
decline in FCA sales.
Honda Motor Co <7267.T><HMC.N> reported a drop of 7 percent and
Nissan Motor Co <7201.T> a 1 percent dip.
August industry sales were expected to be down largely based on
a quirk in the calendar that put results over the U.S. Labor Day
holiday weekend into September sales.
Although Labor Day is always in September, the U.S. auto
industry usually counts the sales in August results.
Ford said sales of its F-Series pickup trucks topped 70,000 for
the first time this year - at 71,332, up 4.7 percent.
Mark LeNeve, head of Ford's U.S. sales, said Ford SUV and truck
sales both rose about 12 percent while car sedan sales fell 7
percent.
GM's Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickup trucks together
outsold Ford's F-Series, at more than 76,000. Silverado sales
rose 11.7 percent and Sierra sales were up 7 percent.
(Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe)
[© 2015 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2015 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |
|
