While June sales volumes fell month-on-month, the three major US automakers still posted year-on-year gains.
General Motors Co. (GM) Thursday reported June sales results, with combined sales of Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac totaling 194,828 vehicles. This reflected a 12 percent decrease from May sales, but compared to June 2009, it was still an increase of 36 percent.
According to Don Johnson, GM's Vice President of US Sales Operations, the resurgence in large pickup truck sales was a key factor behind June's results. "As companies continue to invest in their businesses, we expect this segment to continue to recover," said Johnson. "We think the release of some pent up demand in the pickup market is an indication that a fundamental part of the US economy is gradually strengthening."
Ford Motor Co. also posted a drop in month-on-month sales, with 170,900 vehicles in June reflecting a 11 percent decrease from May, but still a 15 percent increase from June 2009.
Likewise, Chrysler Group's 92,482 sales in June was 12 percent less than May sales but 35 percent more than June of last year.
However, Toyota's June sales of 140,604 were only a 6.8 percent increase from June 2009, and a 13.6 percent decrease from May.