Despite high gas prices and a slumping housing market, General Motors saw in increase in August sales compared to the same month a year ago. GM’s U.S. sales increased 6.1% over August 2006, aided by strong demand for its pickup trucks and SUVs. Combined sales of the GMC Acadia , Saturn Outlook and Buick Enclave totaled 12,983 units. GM’s U.S. market share for August was above 26 percent, the highest level of the year.
Conversely, Ford ’s August U.S. sales fell 14.4% compared with August 2006. The slump was largely due to a sharp decline in Mustang and F-Series sales, which slipped 35% and 9.9% respectively. However, Ford’s portfolio did have a few bright spots. The Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX saw a sales increase of 82%, with the Lincoln posting its 11th straight monthly sales increase, according to Automotive News. Land Rover also posted record-high sales of 4,853, a 32% increase over last August.
Chrysler sales fell 5.6% with officials citing a reduction in rental sales for the decrease.
Nissan saw the largest sales gains of the import brands, increasing its August U.S. sales by 6.3% to 95,526 units. The increase in sales was largely fueled by strong sales of the Altima, which saw a 25.4% increase in sales over 2006. Nissan’s Infiniti brand saw a sales increase of 8.7%
Honda saw a modest increase in U.S. sales, improving by 4.7%. The results included Honda’s Acura division.
Toyota saw a 2.8% decrease in U.S. sales, slipping to 233,471 units from 240,178 vehicles a year ago. Yaris sales declined the most of any Toyota, falling 31% compared to August 2006, followed by Corolla and Avalon, both of which saw sales decline by 12%. One bright spot for Toyota was the Prius, which saw a sales increase of 25.7%. Toyota’s Lexus brand increased sales by 3.6%, posting an August sales-high of 32,199 units.
