Major Automakers Mostly Report Lower U.S. Sales For September

(RTTNews) - U.S. automakers reported lower sales growth for September, with the top three reporting declines, as demand for trucks and sport-utility vehicles were soft and dealers were not able to lure customers despite sweetened promotional packages.

GM, the largest U.S. automaker, September sales dropped 0.6 percent to 249,795 units from last year. Retail deliveries rose 0.3 percent to 204,449 vehicles. Strong performance at Buick and Cadillac segments helped GM mask declines at Chevrolet and GMC brands.

Chevrolet reported 0.3 percent drop, while GMC sales declined 8.7 percent, and Cadillac rose 3.1 percent and Buick grew 14.1 percent. Chevrolet's retail sales in September grew 1 percent, while Buick and Cadillac retail sales also rose 7 percent and 5 percent, respectively.

"We are achieving these results while maintaining disciplined incentive spending and commanding the industry's best average transaction prices for any full-line manufacturer," said Kurt McNeil, GM vice president of U.S. sales.

Dearborn, Michigan-based Ford's September sales declined 7.7 percent to 204,447 vehicles from last year. Retail sales declined 4 percent to 162,327 vehicles, the company said.

Ford's car sales for the month plunged 20.7 percent year-over-year, while truck sales dropped 1.8 percent and SUV sales declined 3.4 percent.

FCA US LLC reported U.S. sales of 192,883 units, a 1 percent decrease compared with sales in September 2015 of 194,666 units. FCA US retail sales were 146,453 units in September, while fleet sales were 46,430 units.

Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., a unit of Japan's Toyota Motor Corp. (TM), reported September sales of 197,260 units, an increase of 1.5 percent, with Toyota division up 1.4 percent and Lexus up 2 percent.

"Industry sales in 2016 remain in line with last year's record levels," said Bill Fay, group vice president and general manager of the Toyota division. "Toyota outpaced the industry to be the no. 1 retail brand in September, led by Camry, RAV4, and Corolla, and the fourth quarter outlook is strong thanks to our best light truck supply of the year."