U.S. Car Sales Jump 9% in September

Sales of cars and light trucks in the U.S. climbed to 1.25 million units last month from 1.14 million in September 2014, Autodata Inc. reports.

The annualized sales rate for the month was 16.4 million, down from 17.5 million in August but up from 15.4 million in September 2013.

September demand for domestic brands surged 11% to 571,100 units. Sales grew 19% to 223,400 units for General Motors and 19% to 166,500 units for Chrysler. Ford sales fell 3% to 179,500 vehicles.

Asian brands posted a 9% gain to 556,200 units, led by Honda (+12% to 118,200) and Nissan (+19% to 103,000). Toyota and Hyundai sales each rose 2%, to 167,300 units and 56,000 units, respectively. Volumes for Kia and Mazda each grew 7%, to 40,600 and 24,000 units, respectively.

European brands advanced only 1% to 118,700 units last month. Another year-on-year decline for segment leader Volkswagen (-19% to 26,000 units) was offset by gains at Mercedes-Benz (+10% to 29,500), BMW (+9% to 25,600) and Audi (+14% to 14,900).

Among European specialty luxury cars, Maserati outsold Jaguar 1,300 to 1,100 units in September. Porsche sales jumped 17% to 3,600 vehicles. But demand for Mini and Land Rover fell 21% to 4,200 units and 8% to 3,100 vehicles, respectively.

Autodata says light-truck sales surged 17% to 665,700 units compared with a 2% gain to 580,300 for cars.