Chrysler saw a double-digit sales increase in September in large part due to sales of the new Dodge Dart.
General Motors and Ford posted modest sales gains for September while Chrysler posted a double digit increase thanks to strong sales of the new Dart and of the Fiat 500.
Ford reported a 4 percent sales increase during September thanks to a surge in sales of its small passenger cars.
“As more buyers look for new vehicles across the country, Ford is ready with our strongest lineup ever of fuel-efficient cars, utilities and full-size pickups,” said Ken Czubay, Ford vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service.
“Fuel economy remains one of the most important features customers want most today, and Ford is answering the call with five vehicles that deliver 40 mpg or better – with another three on the way by year-end,” he said.
GM reported its best September sales since 2008 as it delivered 210,245 vehicles, up 1.5 percent compared with a year ago.
New products helped drive a 29 percent increase in passenger car sales, GM officials said.
“Passenger cars have been the launch point for a broad and deep GM product offensive,” said Kurt McNeil, vice president of U.S. sales operations. “Auto sales will continue to be a bright spot for the U.S. economy, which is particularly good news for GM as we walk into an even stronger cadence of new products in 2013 and 2014,” he said.
Chrysler said the company’s sales increased 12 percent in September and by 13 percent versus same quarter a year ago, as the Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram Truck, and Fiat brands each post sales increases in September compared with same month a year ago.
Fiat brand sets all-time sales record with a 51 percent increase and Dodge brand sales were up 18 percent— its best September sales recorded since 2007. Sales of the all-new Dodge Dart were up 72 percent compared with previous month as production ramp up continues at the Belvidere, Ill. assembly plant despite criticism of the slow launch.
“Last month marked our 30th-consecutive month of year-over-year sales increases and our strongest September in five years,” said Reid Bigland, president and chief executive officer of the Dodge Brand and head of U.S. Sales.
“Going forward with our current product line up, record low interest rates and a stable U.S. economy, we remain optimistic about the health of the U.S. new vehicle sales industry and our position in it,” he said.
Bigland said while the Dodge Dart continued its steady monthly sales climb, six Chrysler Group models set sales records. The Chrysler 200 and sporty Dodge Avenger mid-size sedans each set records for the month of September. The Avenger achieved its record with a sizeable 89 percent sales increase compared with the same month a year ago.