(MENAFN- AFP) US auto giants General Motors and Chrysler scored solid sales gains in September on robust demand for larger vehicles, but Ford sales slipped, according to figures released Wednesday.
General Motors, the largest US automaker, said sales rose 19 percent from a year ago to 223,437 vehicles, with strong gains in trucks and smaller crossovers. Big gains came in GMC sport utility vehicles and the Chevrolet Suburban SUV, among others.
"GM saw strength almost across the board in September" after introducing new trucks and SUVs "at exactly the right time," said Kurt McNeil, US vice president for sales operations at GM.
"We will have improved availability of heavy-duty pickups and large SUVs in the months ahead, and the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon are arriving in showrooms as we speak. This sets us up to finish the year on a very strong note."
Chrysler, a unit of Italy-based Fiat Chrysler, also reported a 19 percent rise in sales to 169,890 units, with big gains coming in its Jeep and Ram pickup truck divisions.
But Ford said September sales fell three percent from a year ago to 180,175 vehicles. A key factor was lower sales to rental car companies, which were down 40 percent.
On the positive side, Ford, the number-two US automaker, said sales of its midsize Explorer SUV jumped 25 percent.
US sales of Japanese automaker Toyota rose 1.7 percent to 167,279 cars and trucks. SUVs and crossover vehicles "continue to be industry's hot spots," said Bill Fay, Toyota group vice president.
Edmunds.com analyst Jessica Caldwell said the latest batch of sales are "consistent with the strength we've seen most of the year." The results have been bolstered by generous financing deals and record leasing, she added.
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