Ford, Chrysler sales best in years; Caddy powers GM

James R. Healey, USATODAY10:18 a.m. EDT June 3, 2013



Dodge Dart sales are beginning to rise. Chrysler Group
Story Highlights


  • Cadillac sales gain in May is biggest since 1976
  • Ford trucks, SUVs strong
  • Chrysler rides Jeeps, Ram trucks to gain

Cadillac's May sales zoomed 39.9% ahead of last year, the brand's biggest leap since 1976, helping General Motors post a 3.1% rise in May sales, to 225,894. .
The Cadillac results were powered by the ATS, a compact sedan not available last year. Its success more than balanced out the mid-size CTS' tumble, as buyers await a new design soon.
All versions of the brand's Escalade big SUV did well.
•Buick Verano sedan and new-to-the-lineup Encore small SUV were hits, but couldn't add enough sales to overcome drops in other Buicks. The brand was down 3.1%
•Chevrolet standouts were Cruze compact sedan, Sonic subcompact, Equinox compact SUV and Tahoe big SUV. Silverado pickup was up 25.3% as generous discounts helped clear dealer lots for the redesigned 2014 pickups coming next month.
•GMC Yukon XL, among the biggest SUVs available, exploded 181.9% and the brand's Sierra, the equivalent of the Chevy Silverado, rose 21.7%, helping GMC record a 7% increase over May a year ago.
Story: European automakers' sales
Story: Asian automakers' sales
FORD MOTOR: May sales were up 14%, the best for that month since 2005.
Ford's star performer, the F-series pickup, remained so. Sales were up 31% to 71,604
Ken Czubay, Ford vice president in charge of sales and marketing in the U.S., said the F-series is being "fueled by construction growth and pent-up demand."
•Escape small SUV had its best month in 13 years, up 26% to 29,123.
•Fusion midsize sedan had its best May.
•Lincoln MKZ, which Ford hopes will relaunch the entire Lincoln brand, was up 42% from a weak month a year ago.
The automaker is continuing to add gas-electric hybrid models to its lineup and, consequently, sold more hybrid vehicles the first five months this year than it it has in any full year, breaking the record of 35,496 in 2010. Gas-electric hybrids use less fuel than regular gasoline cars, but they are more expensive.
Ford also raised its forecast for third-quarter production 10%, to 740,000 to meet demand.
CHRYSLER GROUP: May sales were 166,596, an 11% increase compared with sales a year ago, and the automaker's best May since 2007.
It was the company's 38th consecutive monthly year-over-year sales increase. The company's Jeep, Dodge, Ram and Fiat brands all were up. Ram sales were up 24%, most of any Chrysler brand.
Setting records:
•Jeep Wrangler and Compass SUVs each recorded their best sales ever.
•Dodge Avenger and Challenger, Fiat 500, Chrysler 200 mid-size sedan, and Ram pickup truck registered their best May sales ever.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2013/06/03/chrysler-general-motors-ford-sales/2378505/