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Tue Dec 2, 7:05 PM ET
By JOHN PORRETTO, AP Auto Writer
DETROIT - Sweetened consumer incentives, enhanced vehicle lineups and
an improving U.S. economy lifted new car and truck sales in November,
automakers reported Tuesday.
General Motors Corp., the world's largest automaker, led the way with
a 22 percent increase from a year ago. Sales of trucks such as the Chevrolet
Silverado and Avalanche and GMC Sierra were up 30 percent. Car sales jumped
12 percent.
Several foreign automakers also reported double-digit sales increases,
including the American arms of Toyota, Nissan, Hyundai, Mazda, Volkswagen
and Porsche.
"A strong rebound in retail sales, especially in big-ticket items,
continues to fuel a broad economic recovery," said Jim Press, executive
vice president and chief operating officer of Toyota Motor Sales USA.
With an increase of 12.8 percent over last November, Toyota had its best-ever
November in the United States. So did BMW and Porsche Cars North America.
Strong-selling trucks and SUVs also helped Ford Motor Co. and DaimlerChrysler
AG's Chrysler Group post sales increases last month, though much smaller
than rival GM. Sluggish car business hampered both companies.
Most analysts predicted sales of new cars and trucks to rise last month
from October and a year ago thanks to hefty showroom bargains, which are
likely to continue for the remainder of the year. Many automakers also
improved incentives to end 2002 as they tried to meet year-end sales goals.
Also helping, analysts and automakers said, is a strengthening economy
that bodes well for business heading into 2004.
"GM's November sales reflected substantial increases across nearly
every segment," said John Smith, GM's group vice president for North
American sales, service and marketing.
The seasonally adjusted annual sales rate for November was 16.8 million
units, about 800,000 more than last November and significantly higher
than October's 15.6 million selling pace. The sales rate, known as SAAR,
indicates what sales for the full year would be if they remained at the
same pace for all 12 months.
Sales of Ford, Lincoln and Mercury brand cars were off nearly 8 percent
from a year ago, while truck sales — which include pickups, SUVs
and minivans — rose 4.3 percent. That added up to an overall increase
of less than 1 percent at the world's No. 2 automaker, Ford.
At Chrysler, a 4 percent reduction in car sales combined with a nearly
5 percent climb in truck volume for an overall increase of 3 percent.
Since its introduction in September, Ford's redesigned F-150 has contributed
to three straight months of double-digit growth for Ford's F-Series trucks,
which account for a quarter of the automaker's sales.
Sales of the Escape, the company's small SUV, were up 14 percent from
a year ago.
Ford hopes to boost car sales with several new offerings next year, including
the large Five-Hundred sedan and a new Mustang.
"The momentum we're seeing in the economy should provide a solid
foundation for auto sales in 2004," said Jim O'Connor, Ford's vice
president for North American marketing, sales and service.
Through November, Ford's total U.S. sales were off 4.3 percent.
Chrysler, whose sales so far this year are down 4 percent, was led last
month by the Dodge Ram pickup, revamped Durango SUV and the Jeep Wrangler.
Ram sales were up 15 percent from a year ago.
GM, whose Cadillac division had its best November since 1989, is now
down 1.7 percent in U.S. sales this year from the same period in 2002.
The automaker has had two straight years of U.S. market share gains, but
a "three-peat" in unlikely unless it has another blowout sales
month in December.
In trading on the New York Stock Exchange (news - web sites), GM shares
rose 15 cents to close at $43.28, Ford shares fell 20 cents to close at
$12.92 and DaimlerChrysler's U.S. shares were off 17 cents to finish at
$38.54.
___
On the Net:
http://www.ford.com
http://www.daimlerchrysler.com
http://www.gm.com
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CARFAX
Terms
VIN: The Vehicle ID Number (VIN) can be found on dashboards
and title documents. All cars and light trucks built after 1981 have a
unique 17-character VIN that contains valuable information about that
vehicle's history.
Shopping Tip: To check used vehicles while you shop, be sure to ask the
dealer/seller for the VINs.
TITLE CHECK
Salvaged? Lemon? Flooded? Rebuilt?
Salvage File
A full CARFAX Report can uncover if this vehicle was damaged in a major
accident or wreck. These damaged cars are often sold to buyers without
disclosing the problem past.
Lemon File
Many states across the country have Lemon Laws to protect consumers from
buying a bad car. A full CARFAX Report can help you avoid these problem
cars.
Flood File
Flood damaged cars are often moved to other states and sold to unsuspecting
buyers. Don’t get caught buying one of these waterlogged vehicles
- order a full CARFAX Report.
Rebuilt/Reconstructed Title
The vehicle sustained damage and was rebuilt or reconstructed, then placed
back on the road.
ODOMETER CHECK
Fraud? Rolled Over? Rolled Back? Broken?
Odometer File
Odometer rollback fraud costs car buyers thousands. A full CARFAX Report
can identify potential odometer fraud before you purchase.
Not Actual Mileage File
Is the odometer showing the actual mileage? Odometers often malfunction
and no longer record the proper mileage reading. Learn the true mileage
of the vehicle by ordering a full CARFAX Report.
PROBLEM CHECK
Accident File
Major accident damage severely affects the safety and resale value of
a vehicle. Don't make a costly mistake - order a full CARFAX Report to
avoid buying a rebuilt wreck.
Salvage Auction Record
Vehicles classified as "totaled" by insurance companies are
often sold at auction to be reconstructed and put back on the road.
Fire Damage
CARFAX receives information on vehicle fires from most US jurisdictions.
These events are usually not the result of an accident and are taken from
the actual fire department reports compiled at the scene.
Stolen Vehicle Record
Law enforcement officials have notified other government agencies that
an owner has reported a vehicle missing. This vehicle may have since been
legitimately recovered.
REGISTRATION CHECK
Lease
Vehicle was registered but not owned by the driver
Rental Car File
Rental cars are driven by many people under various driving conditions.
A full CARFAX Report will uncover a vehicle's rental car history.
Taxi/Police
Vehicle registered as a taxi, "for hire" or law enforcement
vehicle.
Fleet Vehicle
Vehicle was registered or sold to a company that manages vehicle fleets. |
