Americans migrating to smaller cars

US-market sales of the Ford Focus sales rose 31.5 percent in August.

US-market sales of the Ford Focus sales rose 31.5 percent in August.

Published Sep 5, 2012

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US vehicle sales continued to show a slow but steady recovery in August, as all three Detroit carmakers reported sales gains that outstripped analysts’ expectations.

General Motors posted a 10 percent jump, as higher fuel prices spurred sales of the Chevrolet Cruze and other compact cars. Average US petrol prices have risen about 21 cents a gallon (R0.47 a litre) in the past month.

Edmunds.com analyst Jessica Caldwell said: “Higher fuel prices in August will lead to unseasonably strong small car performance across the industry.”

GM said sales in August rose to 240 520 vehicles, Ford's domestic sales rose 13 percent to 197 249 vehicles, and Chrysler posted a 14 percent rise in August.

Chrysler sales were 148,472 vehicles, which the company said showed its best performance for August since 2007.

VW'S BEST AUGUST IN 39 YEARS

Volkswagen turned in its best August US figures since 1973, with its sales rising 62.5 percent to 41 011 vehicles.

Ford vice president of US marketing Ken Czubay said rising fuel prices were a factor in customers' choice of vehicles in August.

“As fuel prices rose again during August,” he said, “we saw growing numbers of people gravitate toward our more fuel-efficient vehicles.”

Still, sales of its Fiesta fell 28 percent, while Focus sales rose 31.5 percent.

Ford reported record sales for the Escape crossover and Fusion sedan, and said the F-Series pickup had its best sales month all year. Ford brand sales were up 13.1 percent, while Lincoln brand sales rose 1.7 percent. - Reuters

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