Events Calendar
In This Section
Investigators: Ky. census worker committed suicide
Consumer group warns about toy hazards
Police say census worker committed suicide, staged it to look like a slaying
Hispanic group sues Ohio over license plate policy
Albert Pujols wins second consecutive National League MVP Award
Report: Ohio agency discards recently bought items
Hospital probes alleged snooping into medical records of suspected Cleveland serial killer
Most Read Stories
2 men shot during party in Fairlawn
Akron man killed in crash on his street
Akron Children's Hospital CEO, wife announce $1 million gift to support research
Cancellation of Christmas not an option
Victim of beating in Kent last week is declared dead at Akron hospital
Police: Pennsylvania man killed misbehaving puppy before Steelers game
Akron Circle K store robbed for second time this month
Police accuse bank robbery suspect of gobbling up note (with dashcam video)
KSU suspends basketball player
Kangaroo tries to drown dog, attacks owner
Gas station robbery suspect caught
Bob Dyer: Appropriate inscription chosen for memorial bench
Rain, driver inexperience cited in fatal Green crash
Blogs:
Pets:
A Dog Named Christmas – Pet for the Holidays
The Heldenfiles:
Viewing Notes
Patrick McManamon:
Of pass interference and alleged "fake" injuries
Akron Zips:
No. 1 Akron to play Stanford next
Tribe Matters:
Seven players added to Tribe’s 40-man roster
Cleveland Browns:
Audio: Mangini disputes Poteat call, accuses Lions of faking injuries
Kent State Sports:
Flashes travel to Florida Atlantic
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Gameblog: Cavs vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Buckeye Blogging:
Buckeye Football – Present and Future
Varsity Letters:
Gulley to visit Central Michigan in December
All Da King's Men:
The Onion, By Any Other Name…
Blog of Mass Destruction:
Glaring Contradictions
Akron Law Café:
Don't Try to Have Fun if you are Depressed
See Jane Style:
Vintage Chic
Car Chase:
What Automotive Thing Are You Thankful For?
Let's Talk Real Estate:
Faye Dunaway to be Evicted?
Ohio Travels with Betty:
Monique asks how to get tickets for the Polar Express.
Sound Check:
Steely Dan Plays "The Royal Scam" at E.J. Thomas Hall
HRLite House:
Personal Rant – Why I am Glad I live in NEO
Akron Gamer:
Nintendo's Mario endures even as games come and go
By Associated Press
POSTED: 02:52 p.m. EST, Nov 03, 2009
DETROIT: GM reported its first monthly gain in U.S. sales in almost two years while Toyota and Ford also improved, a sign the auto industry it starting to crawl back from a yearlong slump.
Demand for new cars and crossovers in October fueled better results for General Motors Co. and Detroit rival Ford Motor Co. GM's sales rose 4 percent from October 2008, while Ford notched a 3-percent gain. Japanese rival Toyota Motor Corp said its sales edged up less than a percent. Less rosy news came from Chrysler Group LLC, whose sales fell 30 percent, though they improved from September.
Automakers had said October would be a test of how strong the market was without any effect of the government's Cash for Clunkers program. The industry staggered through a tough September, hurt by the collapse of demand following the clunker rebates that fueled a sales surge over the summer.
The mood was in contrast to a year ago, when consumers were frightened away from showrooms by the early effects of the financial meltdown and credit freeze.
This October, Ford got a boost from new products launches and gained U.S. market share for 12th time in 13 months as it critically acclaimed vehicles continue to grab buyers from rivals. Ford has also benefited from consumer goodwill because it didn't take government bailout money or go into bankruptcy, as General Motors Chrysler did.
More than 80 percent of Ford's sales last month came from 2010 models, which also helped the company lower its incentives.
That was in line with the industry, which spent less to give car buyers big rebates. Automakers focused on clearing out old inventory and focused on selling 2010 models, which are not discounted as heavily.
Fuel-efficient models like the Ford Fusion sedan and Escape small sport utility vehicle sold well, with both notching sales jumps of around 25 percent. Ford's overall car sales rose 11 percent over last October, while crossovers climbed 23 percent.
New 2010 models like the Taurus and Lincoln MKT crossover also flew off dealer lots.
Ford's truck sales, by contrast, fell 10 percent.
Chrysler, the maker of the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram truck brands sold 65,803 vehicles last month, up 6 percent from September. That was when its sales slumped because dealerships could offer few popular models. The automaker, which is announcing a new product strategy on Wednesday, is aiming to show steady improvement from month to month.
Looking to boost November sales, Chrysler will offer a slew of new incentive programs this week. The carmaker will offer 0 percent financing for up to 48 months on all its vehicles, and a no-cost maintenance and service program its Jeep and Chrysler brands. Buyers also can opt for $2,500 off their purchase if they don't take the no-interest financing. The deals begin Wednesday and run until Nov. 30.
Ford, meanwhile spent the least on incentives among the Detroit Three automakers, according to Edmunds.com. Ford spent $2,909 per vehicle. That's down one-fourth from October last year and 6 percent from September.
Still, it spent more on incentives than the industry average, with Japanese automakers like Honda and Toyota spending significantly less.
Japanese automaker Subaru said its October auto sales surged 41 percent, helped by strong sales in its Outback and Forester models.
DETROIT: GM reported its first monthly gain in U.S. sales in almost two years while Toyota and Ford also improved, a sign the auto industry it starting to crawl back from a yearlong slump.
Demand for new cars and crossovers in October fueled better results for General Motors Co. and Detroit rival Ford Motor Co. GM's sales rose 4 percent from October 2008, while Ford notched a 3-percent gain. Japanese rival Toyota Motor Corp said its sales edged up less than a percent. Less rosy news came from Chrysler Group LLC, whose sales fell 30 percent, though they improved from September.
Automakers had said October would be a test of how strong the market was without any effect of the government's Cash for Clunkers program. The industry staggered through a tough September, hurt by the collapse of demand following the clunker rebates that fueled a sales surge over the summer.
The mood was in contrast to a year ago, when consumers were frightened away from showrooms by the early effects of the financial meltdown and credit freeze.
This October, Ford got a boost from new products launches and gained U.S. market share for 12th time in 13 months as it critically acclaimed vehicles continue to grab buyers from rivals. Ford has also benefited from consumer goodwill because it didn't take government bailout money or go into bankruptcy, as General Motors Chrysler did.
More than 80 percent of Ford's sales last month came from 2010 models, which also helped the company lower its incentives.
That was in line with the industry, which spent less to give car buyers big rebates. Automakers focused on clearing out old inventory and focused on selling 2010 models, which are not discounted as heavily.
Fuel-efficient models like the Ford Fusion sedan and Escape small sport utility vehicle sold well, with both notching sales jumps of around 25 percent. Ford's overall car sales rose 11 percent over last October, while crossovers climbed 23 percent.
New 2010 models like the Taurus and Lincoln MKT crossover also flew off dealer lots.
Ford's truck sales, by contrast, fell 10 percent.
Chrysler, the maker of the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram truck brands sold 65,803 vehicles last month, up 6 percent from September. That was when its sales slumped because dealerships could offer few popular models. The automaker, which is announcing a new product strategy on Wednesday, is aiming to show steady improvement from month to month.
Looking to boost November sales, Chrysler will offer a slew of new incentive programs this week. The carmaker will offer 0 percent financing for up to 48 months on all its vehicles, and a no-cost maintenance and service program its Jeep and Chrysler brands. Buyers also can opt for $2,500 off their purchase if they don't take the no-interest financing. The deals begin Wednesday and run until Nov. 30.
Ford, meanwhile spent the least on incentives among the Detroit Three automakers, according to Edmunds.com. Ford spent $2,909 per vehicle. That's down one-fourth from October last year and 6 percent from September.
Still, it spent more on incentives than the industry average, with Japanese automakers like Honda and Toyota spending significantly less.
Japanese automaker Subaru said its October auto sales surged 41 percent, helped by strong sales in its Outback and Forester models.
Comments
Click here to post your comments
somewhere near you, CA
Posted 02:56 PM, 11/03/2009
I'm willing to wager their sales would have been higher if they had anything in stock. In my area, the shelves are pretty bare.
Orrville, Oh
Posted 04:05 PM, 11/03/2009
Automobile consumers; paying; for more stock dividends (money); Auto manufactures Stockholders (money marketers); market quarterly; in the wholesale and retail price; of automobiles, parts, and service; bankrupts consumers; and makes automobiles UNAFFORDABLE!
