January Sales: Chrysler Way Up, GM Down, Ford Could Be Higher

U Zume
by U Zume

The year starts on a high note, at least when you are Chrysler. Chrysler reports a jaw-dropping 44-percent gain in domestic auto sales. Also up: Volkswagen, up 48 percent to 27,209 vehicles. Nissan sales in the U.S. are up 10.4 percent to 79,313.

Ford is up 7 percent to 136,710 units, driven by record sales of the Focus. Analysts had expected between 8 and 9 percent.

GM’s sales are down 6 percent to 167,962 units. Cruze and Sonic helped lift Chevrolet’s sales by 13 percent.

By the end of the day, analysts expect the report to print a 6 percent total market gain for January.

Stay tuned for more reporting as the numbers roll in.

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  • Advo Advo on Feb 01, 2012

    How much of Chrysler's success this month can be attributed to the demographic that is attracted to the brand doing (a lot?) better economically now?

    • PenguinBoy PenguinBoy on Feb 01, 2012

      I think it has a lot to do with greatly improved products at a reasonable price, along with improved market conditions in general. Like most automakers, I suspect different Mopars appeal to different demographics - the average Calibre buyer is probably in a different demographic than the average Grand Cherokee Overland buyer.

  • TheHammer TheHammer on Feb 01, 2012

    Congrats to Chrysler for a great month. New Gr Cherokee prob a lot to do with it

  • J Sutherland J Sutherland on Feb 01, 2012

    thanks-this is a refreshing change from some of the other "loosely connected to the automotive world" pieces today.

  • Cheezeweggie Cheezeweggie on Feb 02, 2012

    I wonder how many Chrysler buyers will switch back to another brand after their new Dodge spends too much time in the service bay.

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