Automakers on Tuesday reported US sales gains in March, pointing to a spring rebound from weakness in the prior two months that were hammered by severe winter weather.
General Motors, the largest US automaker, said total sales rose 4.0 percent in March from a year ago, to 256,047 vehicles.
GM retail sales were up 7.0 percent in March, offsetting a 5.0 percent drop in fleet sales that was due to a planned reduction in deliveries.
Kurt McNeil, GM's US vice president of sales operations, was upbeat about pent-up demand from consumers after the brutal winter that gripped large areas of the country.
"We expect to see solid economic growth in the months ahead, with the job market, household income and consumer spending all showing positive signs," McNeil said in the sales report, which was delayed for several hours due to a computer systems problem.
The report came as GM chief executive Mary Barra testified to Congress in a hearing over why the company ignored a faulty ignition problem for a decade despite numerous accident reports and 13 deaths.
Analysts have speculated the trouble could cost the company billions of dollars in penalties and damages, in addition to the costly vehicle recalls.
Ford, the number-two US automaker, said total sales in its home market rose 3.0 percent in March year-over-year, to 244,167 vehicles.
"March sales turned noticeably higher mid-month and finished strong," said John Felice, Ford vice president, US marketing, sales and service.
Ryan Brinkman of JPMorgan said that Ford's pickup in sales was "an encouraging sign for the industry as we head into the spring selling season."
Chrysler, which was fully acquired by Italy's Fiat in January, posted a robust 13 percent year-over-year increase in US March sales to 193,915 units.
The unit of Milan-based Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has clocked in 48 consecutive months of year-over-year sales gains in the United States.
"We are entering the spring selling season on a high note as our Jeep and Fiat brands recorded their best sales months ever," said Reid Bigland, head of US sales.
Fiat brand sales leaped 24 percent in March, the best sales month since the Italian auto brand returned to the US market in 2011.
Japanese giant Toyota sold 215,348 units, an increase of 8.9 percent from a year ago.
The world's leading automaker said that March capped a first-quarter sales gain despite an unusually harsh winter.
"Toyota dealers had their two best sales weekends of the year late in the month, and we're optimistic that momentum will spring us in into April," said Bill Fay, Toyota division group vice president.
Japanese rival Nissan said US sales jumped 8.3 percent to 149,136 vehicles, its best month ever.
Honda said March sales fell 2.0 percent from a year ago, to 133,318 vehicles.
South Korea's Hyundai reported a 1.9 percent fall in sales, to 67,005 units.
Germany's Volkswagen sold 36,717 units, up 6.3 percent from March 2012.
Automakers on Tuesday reported US sales gains in March, pointing to a spring rebound from weakness in the prior two months that were hammered by severe winter weather.
General Motors, the largest US automaker, said total sales rose 4.0 percent in March from a year ago, to 256,047 vehicles.
GM retail sales were up 7.0 percent in March, offsetting a 5.0 percent drop in fleet sales that was due to a planned reduction in deliveries.
Kurt McNeil, GM’s US vice president of sales operations, was upbeat about pent-up demand from consumers after the brutal winter that gripped large areas of the country.
“We expect to see solid economic growth in the months ahead, with the job market, household income and consumer spending all showing positive signs,” McNeil said in the sales report, which was delayed for several hours due to a computer systems problem.
The report came as GM chief executive Mary Barra testified to Congress in a hearing over why the company ignored a faulty ignition problem for a decade despite numerous accident reports and 13 deaths.
Analysts have speculated the trouble could cost the company billions of dollars in penalties and damages, in addition to the costly vehicle recalls.
Ford, the number-two US automaker, said total sales in its home market rose 3.0 percent in March year-over-year, to 244,167 vehicles.
“March sales turned noticeably higher mid-month and finished strong,” said John Felice, Ford vice president, US marketing, sales and service.
Ryan Brinkman of JPMorgan said that Ford’s pickup in sales was “an encouraging sign for the industry as we head into the spring selling season.”
Chrysler, which was fully acquired by Italy’s Fiat in January, posted a robust 13 percent year-over-year increase in US March sales to 193,915 units.
The unit of Milan-based Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has clocked in 48 consecutive months of year-over-year sales gains in the United States.
“We are entering the spring selling season on a high note as our Jeep and Fiat brands recorded their best sales months ever,” said Reid Bigland, head of US sales.
Fiat brand sales leaped 24 percent in March, the best sales month since the Italian auto brand returned to the US market in 2011.
Japanese giant Toyota sold 215,348 units, an increase of 8.9 percent from a year ago.
The world’s leading automaker said that March capped a first-quarter sales gain despite an unusually harsh winter.
“Toyota dealers had their two best sales weekends of the year late in the month, and we’re optimistic that momentum will spring us in into April,” said Bill Fay, Toyota division group vice president.
Japanese rival Nissan said US sales jumped 8.3 percent to 149,136 vehicles, its best month ever.
Honda said March sales fell 2.0 percent from a year ago, to 133,318 vehicles.
South Korea’s Hyundai reported a 1.9 percent fall in sales, to 67,005 units.
Germany’s Volkswagen sold 36,717 units, up 6.3 percent from March 2012.
