Big Detroit automakers all see good sales climb in July

The F-Series total of 66,288 was more than all sedan sales of 66,004. July sales rose 5 per cent to more than 1.5 million, as reported by Autodata Corp. The all-new Edge contributed to the increase as well, with sales up 17 percent for July. Before Friday, when automakers released July sales results, analysts forecast 2015 sales of 17.1 million vehicles, about the same as 2001 sales.

The Nissan Rogue and GM’s Buick Enclave each sold more than 50 percent better this year. FCA’s U.S.-traded shares were up 2.9 percent at $16.26. The figures keep the auto industry on pace for its best year since 2000. Americans are buying pricey sport utility vehicles and pickups with luxury cabins, adding to the economy’s momentum as gasoline and financing are both relatively affordable. As reported by the Associated Press, luxury brand sales are growing at twice the rate of their mass-market competitors.

The demand drove July’s sales higher.

SUVs and crossovers now comprise more than a third of the entire U.S. new light vehicle market, their highest share in at least six years and higher than any other vehicle configuration, so those manufacturers with a wide offering of these vehicles will continue to benefit, says Tom Libby, manager, loyalty solutions and industry analysis, IHS Automotive.

As stated by Bower, the consumer goods section of the market has been notably strong over the past several weeks.

Different automakers will report gross sales later Monday.

Fiat Chrysler’s U.S. sales rose 6 percent over last July, while Nissan’s U.S. sales were up 8 percent. The company’s commercial vans posted their best sales in 15 years. While Nissan’s sales of SUVs and trucks touched a new July record, Honda’s truck and SUV sales jumped 13% led by CR-V SUV and Odyssey minivan. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles said sales rose 6.2%, Nissan Motor Co. jumped 7.8% and Honda Motor Co. said sales rose 7.7%. It was the 200’s 11th straight monthly sales record. Jeep sales increased 22.9 percent from July 2014. The Chrysler 200, up 85 percent, also had its best July ever.

Sales for the year are knocking on the door of a record 17.35 million vehicles set in 2000.

Ford’s results were helped by a 4.8 percent increase in sales of its F-Series pickup truck, indicating that production from assembly plants in Dearborn and Kansas City, Mo., is beginning to catch up with demand.

“It falls right along the trend with the summer months being the hot time to buy the Wranglers”, said Jake Mallett, new auto sales manager at Yark Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram in Sylvania Township.

Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. manufactures motor vehicles and parts throughout the world. General Motors sold 86,000 pickups in July.

The sales gain came as the Italian automaker was hit with a $90 million fine in July by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration due to lapses in vehicle recalls. Additionally, consumers are holding on to their cars for a lesser period, as compared to what they did during the recession.