Strong October Sales for Automakers

By NICK BUNKLEY
NYT

DETROIT — October was the best month for new-vehicle sales in more than two years, outside of the brief period in 2009 helped by government rebates, and General Motors surpassed expectations but still lost market share in the United States ahead of its upcoming public stock offering.

G.M. said Wednesday that its sales rose 4.2 percent last month from a year ago, compared to a gain of 13.4 percent for the industry over all. Its market share fell to 19.3 percent from 21 percent in October 2009, according to Autodata, a firm that tracks industry sales.

In contrast, the Ford Motor Company said its sales were up 19.3 percent, and Chrysler reported a 37 percent increase.

Toyota was the only major automaker to report a decline, as its sales fell 4.4 percent. In contrast, several smaller companies, including Hyundai, Kia and Subaru, set October records, with each posting an increase of at least 25 percent.

(More here.)