US auto sales up 19% in April for fourth month of gains

03 May 2010 23:08  [Source: ICIS news]

HOUSTON (ICIS news)--US auto sales showed robust year-on-year figures in April with a 19% increase from the same month last year and the fourth consecutive month of gains, according to data released on Monday.

All six of the major car makers posted positive sales numbers last month to put total sales at 777,591 compared with 654,346 units that left sales lots in April 2009.

Even Chrysler, who had been dogged with poor sales results since its emergence from bankruptcy last year, recorded a 25% increase over last March.

Escalating auto sales translated into positive signs for chemical demand with $2,700 (€2,025) worth of chemical products or chemical processing value used in every US-made vehicle, according to American Chemistry Council (ACC) estimated.

The rosier sales statistics in April appeared the opposite compared with April 2008.

Sales from the six major auto producers totalled 1,026,565 in April 2008, almost 25% more vehicles purchased than last month.

The comparison underscored the lengths that the industry had come since what appeared to be the bottom last year, but also how far it remains from previous highs.

"Though there are still challenges in our industry, the market is showing signs of life..." said Brian Carolin, vice president of sales and marketing for Nissan.

The table below reflects April sales.

	2010	2009
	Total	Total	% change
Chrysler	95,703	61,119	25
Ford	162,996	129,898	25
GM	183,997	173,007	6
Honda	113,687	101,029	13
Nissan	63,769	47,190	35
Toyota	157,439	126,540	24
Total	777,591	654,346	19

($1 = €0.75)

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By: Ryan Hickman
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