国际英语新闻：Chrysler, Ford, GM auto sales gain in U.S. market in Sept.

CHICAGO, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- September auto sales with the Detroit Big Three post in U.S. market gained compared with a year ago, according to figures released Friday on U.S. automakers' websites.

Chrysler Group LLC continued its sales growth with a 61 percent increase in September -- selling 100,077 vehicles -- for the largest increase among the major carmakers. This brought the year- to-date gain to 15 percent after six consecutive months of improvement for the Auburn Hills automaker, which started the year with little new product to entice consumers.

Ford Motor Co. posted a robust 46 percent hike for the month with 160,873 vehicles sold and is up 21 percent for the year.

Both Chrysler and Ford saw their sales increase from August, but General Motors Co. posted a slight dip from one month to the next.

GM reported its 173,155 total September sales were up 10.5 percent from a year ago, while sales of its four core brands -- Chevrolet, Cadillac, GMC and Buick -- were up 22.1 percent at 172, 969. The automaker shed four brands as part of its bankruptcy restructuring but continues to sell off the last of its Hummer, Saturn, Pontiac and Saab inventory.

Toyota Motor Corp. saw a 16.8 percent increase for the month with 147,162 vehicles sold in U.S. market. The Toyota brand was up 20.5 percent (130,214 units) and the luxury Lexus brand down 5.5 percent with 16,948 sales.

Honda Motor Co. Ltd. reported its 97,361 September sales were up 26.1 percent from a year ago, meaning the automaker is pacing slightly above 2009 for the first nine months of the year. The luxury Acura Division increased almost 48 percent in September while the Honda brand rose 23.8 percent.

Nissan Motor Corp. saw a 34 percent hike in September sales, which totaled 74,205 units. That breaks down to a 35.1 percent increase for the Nissan brand and 25.6 percent increase for luxury Infiniti vehicle. For the year, the Japanese automaker is pacing up 16.1 percent.

The September sales increases will help automakers lower their inventories of older vehicles and get ready to sell new models this month.

For the first nine months of the year, GM's four brands have sold 79,948 more vehicles than were sold with eight brands through September 2009. The automaker said its retail sales have increased 15 percent this year and market share has also improved. The four core brands are up 23.3 percent for the year while total sales of all eight brands are up 5.9 percent.

GM said it was pleased that retail sales were up 39 percent for the month; fleet sales accounted for 25 percent of sales. GM said the retail growth reflects a smooth transition from 2010 to 2011 models.

GM said 53 percent of its September retail sales were 2011 models, almost double last year's 27 percent.

At Chrysler, the automaker is gaining more buzz with 16 all-new or refreshed vehicles to be introduced by year-end. The first one out, the new 2011 Grand Cherokee, has received positive reviews, and its sales were up 98 percent from August, up 95 percent compared with September 2009 and are up 21 percent for the first nine months.

Ford said its new Ford Edge had a record month, as did the Fusion and the Escape. F-Series truck sales were up 40 percent, helping the automaker increase market share for the 23rd time in the last 24 months.