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.
Ford, the number-two US automaker, said total sales in its home market rose 3.0 percent in March from a year ago, 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.
The comeback came after Ford sales dropped 6.0 percent in February, in part because vehicle deliveries to fleet customers and parts to its factories were delayed by the severe weather.
Ryan Brinkman of JPMorgan said that Ford's pickup in sales in the latter half of the month 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.
General Motors, the largest US automaker, delayed its March report until later Tuesday citing a computer systems problem.
News of the glitch came shortly before GM chief executive Mary Barra was to testify 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 already speculated that the trouble could cost the company billions of dollars in penalties and damages, in addition to the costly vehicle recalls.
Japanese giant Toyota clocked in US sales of 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.
Volkswagen reported March sales of 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.
Ford, the number-two US automaker, said total sales in its home market rose 3.0 percent in March from a year ago, 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.
The comeback came after Ford sales dropped 6.0 percent in February, in part because vehicle deliveries to fleet customers and parts to its factories were delayed by the severe weather.
Ryan Brinkman of JPMorgan said that Ford’s pickup in sales in the latter half of the month 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.
General Motors, the largest US automaker, delayed its March report until later Tuesday citing a computer systems problem.
News of the glitch came shortly before GM chief executive Mary Barra was to testify 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 already speculated that the trouble could cost the company billions of dollars in penalties and damages, in addition to the costly vehicle recalls.
Japanese giant Toyota clocked in US sales of 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.
Volkswagen reported March sales of 36,717 units, up 6.3 percent from March 2012.
