For the first time in more than two years U.S. light-vehicle sales declined during the month of September 2013. A total of 1.1 million cars and trucks were sold last month, a 4.2 percent drop from the same period a year earlier. According to the New York Times, the decline was due in part to fewer selling days in September and generally weaker demand. The numbers have been released by WardsAuto.com. Their data center provides the most trusted numbers for new car sales.
Most of the major automakers reported decreases in sales during September, with the exception of Ford and Chrysler. Ford, the second-largest auto manufacturer, said it sold 181,285 vehicles last month, up 6 percent over the same period last year. In a press release the Ford Motor Company said it delivered its best September since 2006, outpacing the industry and marking Ford’s 11th consecutive month of year-over-year sales increases. Chrysler reported its best September sales since 2007. The automaker said it sold 141,845 units last month, a 1 percent increase over September 2012. GM, the nation’s largest auto manufacturer, said it sold 187,195 cars and trucks last month, down 11 percent from a year earlier.
The major Japanese automakers all posted declines for the month. Toyota, the largest Japanese car manufacturer, reported that it sold 164,457 vehicles last month, a 4.3 percent drop from the same month in 2012. Meanwhile, Honda said it sold 105,563 vehicles in September for a year-over-year decrease of 9.9 percent.
So far a total of 11.7 million cars and trucks have been sold here in the U.S. in 2013, an 8.1 percent improvement over last year at this time.
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