Truck deals boost US sales
DETROIT, USA (AP) — Big discounts on pickup trucks kept US auto sales strong in September.
General Motors Co and Chrysler Group led the industry with 19 per cent sales increases over last September.
Toyota sales rose two per cent.
US sales rose nine per cent to 1.2 million cars and trucks, according to Autodata Corp. The sales pace slowed after a blistering August, which was the best month for the industry in eight years. But September’s annualised pace of 16.4 million vehicles — down from 17.5 million in August — is closer to what analysts are predicting for the full year.
While August was fuelled by Labor Day promotions and incentives on midsize cars, September saw good deals on pickup trucks. Chevrolet was advertising up to US$8,500 off the price of a crew cab Silverado with a trade-in, while Chrysler’s Ram was offering zero-per cent interest.
