U.S. auto sales fell 2 per cent in February

DETROIT (AP) — U.S. sales of new cars and trucks tailed off in February as automakers eased up on discounts.

Sales fell two per cent from last February to 1.3 million, according to Autodata Corp. Among major automakers, only Toyota, Subaru and Volkswagen reported sales gains over last February.

Ford’s U.S. sales chief Mark LaNeve said automakers spent an average of $65 less per vehicle on incentives in February compared to the same month last year. That’s a stark contrast from 2017, when incentive spending often climbed $300 or $400 per month.

LaNeve said discounts could grow during the spring and summer, when tax returns arrive and more people shop for vehicles. But based on the first two months of this year, he expects automakers to remain fairly disciplined. In the past, heavy discounting has led to overproduction and steep declines in automakers’ profits.

Here are some details on February sales:

— General Motors Co. sales fell just under seven per cent to 220,905. Sales were dragged down by the Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck, GM’s top-selling vehicle. Silverado sales were off more than 16 per cent from a year ago. GMC and Chevrolet sales were down for the month but Buick and Cadillac sales rose.

— Ford Motor Co. sales also fell seven per cent to 194,132. Ford said its car and SUV sales were down but sales of the F-Series pickup — its biggest seller — inched up 3.5 per cent. Ford brand sales were down six per cent while luxury Lincoln sales plummeted 23 per cent.

— Toyota Motor Corp. sales rose 4.5 per cent to 182,195 vehicles. Sales of its top-seller, the Camry sedan, jumped 12 per cent as an updated version went on sale. Luxury Lexus sales also rose five per cent.

— Fiat Chrysler’s sales fell one per cent to 165,903. Jeep brand sales jumped 12 per cent and Alfa Romeo sales were also up, but Ram truck sales fell 14 per cent because of a drop in fleet buyers. Chrysler, Dodge and Fiat sales also fell on low consumer demand for cars.

— Honda Motor Co. sales fell five per cent to 115,557. Sales of its bestselling CR-V SUV, dropped 19 per cent.