DETROIT (AP) — Demand for pickup trucks and SUVs helped keep U.S. auto sales strong in September following a blistering August.
General Motors Co. and Chrysler Group led the industry with 19 percent sales increases over last September.
While August’s sales were fueled by incentives on midsize cars, September saw good deals on trucks.
GM says sales of its Chevrolet Silverado pickup jumped 54 percent and the GMC Sierra pickup rose 25 percent.
Chrysler had best September since 2005, with sales of Ram pickups rising 30 percent and Jeep brands up 47 percent.
But Ford’s U.S. sales dipped 3 percent as the company cut back on truck discounts in anticipation of a new F-150 later this year.
Toyota sales were up 2 percent, with its RAV4 SUV seeing double-digit gains. Honda sales increased 12 percent on the strength of the CR-V SUV and the Honda Fit subcompact.
Nissan sales rose 18.5 percent, with its newly revamped Rogue crossover up 52 percent.
Volkswagen fell 18.6 percent overall, but sales of its new Golf were up 93 percent.
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APPHOTO FLWL106: A 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 4WD LTZ Crew Cab pickup truck is on display at Miami Lakes AutoMall in Miami Lakes, Fla. General Motors’ U.S. sales jumped 19 percent in September on big demand for its pickup trucks. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) (1 Oct 2014)
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APPHOTO MACK102: Dodge Ram pickup trucks are lined up for sale at Bill DeLuca’s dealerships in Haverhill, Mass., Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2014. Chrysler Group says its U.S. sales rose 19 percent in September thanks to strong demand for the new Jeep Cherokee SUV and the Ram pickup. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) (1 Oct 2014)
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