U.S. Car Sales Up 11% as Domestics Gain Share

The U.S. light-vehicle market grew to 1.21 million units in October from 1.09 million a year earlier, pushed by double-digit hikes in sales by the Detroit Big Three carmakers.

Last month's annualized sales rate jumped to 15.2 million from 14.2 million in October 2012, according to Autodata Corp.

Sales surged 16% to 226,400 units at General Motors, 14% to 191,300 units at Ford and 11% to 136,400 units at Chrysler.

The traditional domestic brands boosted their share of the U.S. market to 46% from 44.5% in October 2012 at the expense of Asian and European makes.

Asian brands gained 9% to 526,800 units last month, led by Toyota (+9% to 169,000 units), Honda (+7% to 114,500) and Nissan (+14% to 91,000). Hyundai and its Kia affiliate boosted their October sales 7% to 53,600 units and 4% to 39,800 units, respectively. But Asia's share of the market dropped to 43.6% from 44.4% a year ago.

U.S. demand for European brands rose 4% to 125,200 units in October. A 25% jump to 32,100 units for Mercedes-Benz and a 4% gain to 27,600 units for BMW offset an 18% drop to 28,100 units for Volkswagen. It was the first time in three years that Mercedes outsold VW in the American market.