SUVs boost sales numbers for May
DETROIT — U.S. auto sales were stronger than expected in May, boosted by Memorial Day promotions and strong demand for new SUVs.
Sales rose 2 percent over last May to more than 1.64 million cars and trucks, their fastest pace since July 2005, according to Autodata Corp. Analysts had expected sales to slightly fall because of lower sales to rental-car companies 8 percent sales gain and other auto fleets. thanks to its new Golf.
Subaru led automakers Ford’s sales fell 1 percent. with a 12 percent sales Nissan and Toyota said gain. General Motors’ sales were flat, and Hyundai’s sales rose 3 percent, Fiat sales fell 10 percent. Chrysler was up 4 percent, and Honda rose Because of factory 1 percent. closings during the recession,
All four automakers output is closer to benefited as buyers continued matching consumer demand, a steady shift so car companies away from cars toward don’t have to resort to as small- and medium-sized much expensive discounting SUVs and crossovers. as they did in Honda sold more than the past. Demand is also 6,300 HR-Vs in the first healthy thanks to easing two weeks it was on sale. credit standards, improving Sales of the GMC Acadia employment numbers, jumped 67 percent, and lower gas prices and sales of the Jeep Cherokee enticing new vehicles. were up 23 percent. Car-buying site TrueSales of Subaru’s XV Car.com said sales to Crosstrek jumped individual buyers jumped 36 percent. 7 percent over the Memorial Long-struggling Volkswagen surprised with an Day weekend, thanks in part to promotions like zero-percent financing on the new Hyundai Sonata sedan. Ford’s U.S. sales chief Mark LaNeve said having five weekends in May also boosted sales.
GM’s sales rose to 293,097 vehicles. Sales of its best-seller, the Chevrolet Silverado pickup, rose 11 percent, and Buick’s two small SUVs — the Encore and Enclave — both saw 20 percent gains. But car sales were weaker: Sales of the Chevrolet Cruze dropped 27 percent.
Ford’s sales dropped to 250,813. Sales of its bestseller, the F-150 pickup, dropped 10 percent as the company continued to ramp up production of the newly redesigned truck. LaNeve said Ford had just half of its normal F-150 inventory at the beginning of the month. Ford also saw lower sales of the Escape and Explorer SUVs.
Toyota sold 242,579 vehicles. Its SUV sales were up, led by the Highlander with a 25-percent increase. Lexus SUV sales also were strong, thanks in part to the new NX small SUV. But Toyota’s car sales dropped 11 percent.
Fiat Chrysler’s sales total was 202,227, the company’s best May since 2005. Jeep sales rose 13 percent, sales of Fiat Chrysler’s best-seller, the Ram pickup, rose 8 percent, and sales of Ram’s ProMaster van more than doubled.
Honda’s had 154,593 vehicles sold. Car sales were weak; Honda’s bestseller, the Civic sedan, was down 4.5 percent. But sales of the Acura RDX SUV jumped 24 percent.
Nissan’s sales were flat at 134,779. Sales of the recently redesigned Murano crossover were up 58 percent, and the Rogue small SUV also saw strong sales. But Nissan’s car sales dropped 11 percent.
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