Chrysler Leads Automakers Topping Sales Estimates in August

[Purveyor]

Source: Bloomberg

By Keith Naughton, Mark Clothier and Alan Ohnsman Sep 3, 2014 10:27 AM ET

Chrysler Group LLC reported its best August for U.S. vehicle deliveries in 12 years, while Ford Motor Co. (F), Toyota Motor Corp. (7203) and Nissan Motor Co. (7201) also posted results that surpassed analysts’ projections.

Chrysler sales rose 20 percent, Nissan deliveries rose 12 percent, and Ford’s gained 0.4 percent. Chrysler forecast an annualized sales pace for the market in August of 17.4 million, including medium- and heavy-duty trucks that typically account for at least 200,000 annual sales. The sales rate hasn’t exceeded 17 million since July 2006, when it was 17.2 million, according to researcher Autodata Corp.

“There’s no question buyers are flocking to dealerships,” said Jeff Schuster, an analyst with researcher LMC Automotive in Southfield, Michigan. “We continue to see the market in a very strong position, beating expectations. As the auto industry pulls the economy along with it, we would expect to see this kind of performance for the remainder of the year.”

Chrysler, wholly owned by Turin, Italy-based Fiat SpA (F), is on an unprecedented winning streak that now stretches to almost 4 1/2 years. As its Jeep brand benefits from consumers’ renewed attraction to SUVs, the Auburn Hills, Michigan-based group also has been aided by strong demand for Ram trucks and Town & Country minivans. Group sales were projected to rise 12 percent. Jeep sales rose 49 percent in August.

Read more: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-09-03/chrysler-sales-rise-20-as-industry-seen-with-big-august.html

[bigdarryl]

1. There JUNK!!!

Drive a Honda or Toyota you won't regret it

[sharp_stick]

2. *They're

Patently incorrect blanket statements require corrections as much as anything else.

[ballyhoo]

3. Yeah. I looked at them. But people

don't have as much money as they used to.

[paulkienitz]

5. dealers are accustomed to squeezing big overcharges out of H and T customers

and neither is immune to significant safety/reliability issues. I'm pretty comfortable with people choosing a Chevy or Ford instead.

My gf did a ton of safety research and decided that the car she felt safe in was, of all things, a Mazda. Doesn't hurt that Skyactiv does a pretty good job of competing with hybrids for combining power and mileage.

[Union Scribe]

7. I regret even seeing Hondas and Toyotas.

Gross.

[bigdarryl]

9. I just LOVE!!! MY Prius

60 plus MPG

[paulkienitz]

4. I would not have expected this of Chrysler, of all companies

because their cars are still as lame as ever and I can't imagine who would buy them, aside from rental fleets.

But it sounds like their gains are based on jeeps and pickups, which makes more sense.

[Morganfleeman]

6. You can thank

Subprime auto loans for the rip roaring auto sales. Yes, the scourge of the financial crisis is back with a vengeance in the auto space.

What can go wrong?

[Purveyor]

8. You can also thank the fact that the average age of autos on the road today

is 10 years.

It has become a necessity now that they be replaced.