Chrysler August sales up 7 percent, as GM, Ford report drops

Chrysler Group LLC on Wednesday reported a 7-percent U.S. sales increase in August, while Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Co. saw declines for the month compared with a year ago, when products were sold well due to government incentives.

Meanwhile, Toyota Motor Corp. reported its U.S. sales down 34 percent, and Honda Motor Co. Ltd. was also down 33 percent for the month. Nissan North America Inc. reported a 31-percent drop for the month.

Last year, many buyers traded in their gas guzzlers for more fuel-efficient Japanese brands.

For Chrysler, August was the fifth consecutive month of year- over-year sales increases.

Ford saw August sales fall 11 percent from a year ago, but despite the setback, sales for the first eight months of the year is up 18 percent.

Ford said its retail share increased for the 22nd time in the last 23 months.

GM saw a total decrease of 25 percent in August. Retail sales, excluding fleet sales, for all eight GM brands were down 29 percent. Fleet sales were 28 percent of the total for August.

GM's four viable brands also reported a 7-percent dropoff from July.

The fastest growing brand is Buick, which is up 61 percent for the year and 66 percent in August.

Cadillac saw an 83-percent increase in August and is pacing 50 percent ahead of a year ago. Chevrolet took the biggest hit in sales last month with a 22-percent decline from August 2009 but is up 19 percent year-to-date. GMC saw a 12-percent increase for the month and is up 26 percent for the year.

Among the discontinued brands, Hummer for the month was down 74 percent, Pontiac down 99 percent, Saab is off 91 percent and Saturn is down 100 percent.

GM's inventory at the end of August was about 452,000 units, which is about 73,000 higher than a year ago when consumers were taking advantage of the government stimulus program. GM has a 76- day supply of vehicles.

Chrysler finished the month with a 50-day supply of inventory.

Source:Xinhua