U.S. Auto Sales Rise 4% on Pickup Truck Demand

Deliveries of cars and light trucks in the U.S. grew to 1.19 million units last month from 1.15 million units in February 2012, according to Autodata Corp.

February's sales pace equates to an annual rate of 15.38 million vehicles compared with 14.50 million units a year earlier and 15.29 million units in January.

Light-truck volume climbed 8% to 579,300 units as reviving home construction helped boost demand for fullsize pickup trucks 17% to 142,500 units. Passenger-car sales were unchanged at 613,000 units.

Buoyed by strong truck deliveries, American brands increased volume 7% to 555,300 vehicles last month. That hiked their market share 1.5 points year over year to 46.6%. Sales of domestic brands advanced 9% to 195,300 units at Ford, 7% to 224,300 vehicles at General Motors and 4% to 135,700 units at Chrysler.

February demand was flat at 528,400 vehicles for Asian brands, whose market share sank 1.9 points to 44.3%. Volume rose 4% to 166,400 vehicles at Toyota and 2% to 52,300 vehicles at Hyundai. But sales fell 2% to 108,000 units at Honda, 7% to 996,000 units at Nissan and8% to 41,500 units at Kia.

Demand for European brands jumped 8% to 108,500 vehicles last month, boosting their market share by 0.4 points to 9.1%. Fueling the advance were luxury brands Mercedes-Benz (+22% to 22,000 vehicles) and Audi (+28% to 10,900 units). BMW sales edged up 1% to 21,300 vehicles. Volkswagen volume grew 3% to 31,500 vehicles.