Detroit Three Post Increased Sales for January

The Detroit three posted increased sales for January, as selected discontinuing in several segments kep consumers coming to their showrooms.

Ford reported an increase of 22% to 166,501 vehicles, with the exception of the Lincoln brand which dropped 10%. GM saw an increase of 16% in the US market to 194,699 units, with Chevrolet up 11%, Cadillac up 47%, Buick up 32% and GMC up 23%. Chrysler’s sales increased for the 34th consecutive month, up 16% in January compared with the same month last year.

“Ford is off to a strong start this year, with Fusion and Escape delivering January sales records and F-Series seeing a particularly strong reception this early in the year,” said Ken Czubay, Ford vice president, U.S. marketing, sales and service. “Our investment in fuel-efficient new vehicles – including EcoBoost engines and hybrid technology – continues to pay off.”

The new Fusion continues to sell well, up 65% with a record start, and the F-Series pickup increased 22%. GM’s Chevy Silverado was up 32% and the GMC Sierra saw an increase of 35%. Together, the Silverado and the Sierra outsold Ford’s F-series trucks. GM’s crossover sales increased 27%, thanks to a 26% increase of the Chevy Equinox and 56% for the Buick Enclave.

Last month was Chrysler’s best January sales in the past five years, reporting an increase of 37% for the Dodge brand, 18% for Chrysler, 31% for Fiat, 14% for Ram, but a drop of 4% for Jeep. Chrysler’s CEO Sergio Marchionne said at the beginning of January that Jeep sales might drop as the company stopped manufacturing the Jeep Liberty SUV to prepare for its replacement.