Page 8 - ATD 03OCT,2015

A8
U.S. NEWSSaturday 3 October 2015
US auto sales show big gains, except at Volkswagen
DEE-ANN DURBIN
TOM MURPHY
AP Business Writers
DETROIT (AP) — September
was a blockbuster sales
month for the U.S. auto in-
dustry — except at Volk-
swagen, where an emis-
sions scandal forced the
company to halt sales of
most of its diesel-powered
vehicles.
Strong consumer demand,
easy credit and generous
incentives combined to fill
dealer showrooms. The in-
dustry sold 1.44 million cars weekend is typically one of for just 11.7 percent of the
and light trucks last month,
up 15.8 percent from a
year ago.

Ford’s U.S. sales grew 23 off their lots before the new An assembly line worker builds a 2015 Chrysler 200 automobile
percent in September, Nis- model-year vehicles arrive. at the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant in Sterling Heights, Mich.
san surged 18 percent and The Volkswagen brand Fiat Chrysler’s U.S. sales jumped 14 percent in September 2015,
Fiat Chrysler’s U.S. sales struggled after Sept. 18, helped in part by another strong month from the carmaker’s
jumped nearly 14 percent. when the U.S. govern- Jeep brand.
Sales at General Motors ment revealed that nearly
rose 12 percent, while Toy- 500,000 VW and Audi die- (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
ota posted a 16 percent sels sold in the U.S. had soft-
gain. Hyundai’s sales were ware that let them cheat
up 14 percent and Honda’s on emissions tests.Right
rose 13 percent. now, the scandal appears
Analysts had expected big to only be hurting only the
increases because Labor German automaker. VW’s
Day was included in Sep- sales were up less than 1
tember this year versus Au- percent over last Septem-
gust a year ago. Labor Day ber. Diesels accounted
the biggest sales periods company’s total sales,
of the year, as dealers of- compared with the usual
fer discounts to clear cars 20 percent.
The U.S. market has re- contract; 65 percent of
mained a bright spot for workers voted against it.
automakers as the Chinese Here are more details of
economy slows. China is still automakers’ September
the No. 1 market globally, sales, which were released
but sales there were up just Thursday:
2.6 percent in the first eight — There was a bright spot
months of the year. U.S. for Volkswagen. Its luxury
sales grew nearly 4 percent Audi brand — which has
in that time period. one model, the A3, in-
“The economy still has room volved in the scandal —
to grow and so do auto saw sales climb 16 percent
sales, particularly now that and said September was a
the (millennials) are enter- record month for the brand
ing the workforce and start- in the U.S. Sales of Audi’s
ing households,” said GM’s big SUVs like the Q5 and Q7
chief economist, Mustafa were strong, and A3 sales
Mohatarem, in a statement rose 16 percent.
from the company. — General Motors Co. sold
There is some concern 251,310 cars and trucks. To-
that the momentum could tal Chevrolet sales rose 11
cease if an impasse in con- percent, and the company
tract talks between the De- said GMC had its best Sep-
troit automakers and the tember since 2004.
United Auto Workers isn’t — Ford sold 221,599 vehi-
resolved soon. cles, with its F-Series pickup
Karl Brauer, a senior ana- truck — the top-selling vehi-
lyst with KBB, said sales cle in the country — climb-
could drop significantly if ing 16 percent to more than
automakers and the UAW 69,000 trucks. Ford’s Lincoln
can’t come to an agree- luxury brand notched a
ment on new contracts for 20 percent sales increase
GM, Ford and Fiat Chrysler. thanks to new SUVs.
It wouldn’t take long for a — Toyota sold 194,370 vehi-
strike at their U.S. plants to cles. Prius hybrid sales rose
crimp vehicle availability. 12 percent despite rela-
On Thursday, the union said tively low gas prices, while
Fiat Chrysler’s factory work- RAV4 SUV sales jumped 18
ers rejected a proposed percent.q