Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Good Sales Month for Chrysler, Toyota; GM, Ford See Declines

AP PHOTO

Chrysler and Toyota posted impressive sales increases in April, providing more signs of an improving economy, even as figures reported by General Motors and Ford were not as positive.
Chrysler said sales grew by 20 percent compared with the same time a year ago, on the strength of its Chrysler 200 sedan and Ram trucks.
Toyota reported a 12 percent boost, having recovered from the destructive earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan last year and disrupted production.
GM sales slid by 8 percent and Ford lost 5 percent.
GM's fleet sales, or sales to rental companies, took a steep drop, the company said, which hurt overall sales figures. But individual buyer sales were about the same as a year ago, according to GM. GMC was the only GM brand to post a gain; Cadillac, Chevrolet and Buick saw declines.
Ford said its Fiesta subcompact slid in sales, but that its Focus compact did fairly well. The Escape small SUV, which is about to be revamped, and Ranger small pickup, which is being phased out, also had slower sales.


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