Toyota, Chrysler see big April sales gains
DETROIT — Toyota and Chrysler saw big US sales gains in April, but they came at the expense of General Motors and Ford.
Automakers reported their sales yesterday. Overall, sales were likely to rise only a little above last April, and the pace has slowed somewhat since February and March. But automakers and analysts aren’t concerned, noting that this April had more Sundays than last year and fewer cars are sold on Sundays
General Motors increased its full-year sales US forecast to 14 million to 14.5 million cars and trucks, up from 13.5 million to 14 million, citing strength in the manufacturing and retail sectors that will lead to higher employment.
Toyota said its sales rose 12 per cent as its inventories finally return to pre-earthquake levels. Chrysler posted a 20-per cent rise in sales. Its top sellers included the Ram pickup and Chrysler 200 midsize sedan, which benefited from big rebates of US$2,000 ($174,000) or more, analysts say.
GM cited reduced sales to low-profit rental-car companies for its eight-per cent decline, while Ford saw slower sales of its Fiesta subcompact as buyers choose the new Focus small car instead.
Ford sales fell five per cent in April, hurt by trouble on several fronts.
Sales of the Fiesta subcompact dropped 44 per cent, a puzzling trend when gas prices remain high. The Focus small car is likely biting into some Fiesta sales, and it’s facing new competition from the Chevrolet Sonic and Prius C.
Ford Escape sales also dropped 20 percent as the company clears out old models to make room for a new Escape which goes on sale later this spring.
Ford also is hurting from the decision to discontinue the Ranger small pickup. Ranger sales dropped 63 percent from last April, and the truck will soon be gone from dealers’ lots. Ford will be able to move some of those buyers into its larger F-Series trucks, but some may go elsewhere.
General Motors’ April US sales fell eight per cent as all of the company’s brands but one reported big declines.
Buick, Cadillac and Chevy sales were down. Only GMC had an increase, and it was small at 4.5 per cent.
GM pointed out that its sales to rental car companies dropped 25 per cent for the month due to the timing of some deliveries. Retail sales to individual buyers were about the same as April of last year, GM said.
GM ended April with enough vehicles in its inventory to supply dealers for 79 days. That’s more than the 60 days considered optimal to give customers enough of a selection. The company had 121-day supply of big pickup trucks, down slightly from March. GM is building up pickup inventory as it prepares to close factories and equip them to make an all-new pickup due out in 2013.