Steel Markets
November 3, 2013
US Auto Sales up 10.4% Despite Government Shutdown
Written by Sandy Williams
U.S. automakers sales were up by 10.4 percent in October to 1.2 million vehicles. Early October sales slowed during the government shutdown as customers waited to see how the fiscal standoff resolved, but auto sales picked up later in the month. The seasonally adjusted annualized rate fell slightly to 15.22 million, down from 15.26 million in September and from 16.1 million in September.
Of the big three Detroit automakers, General Motors had the biggest year-over-year gain in October at 16 percent and of 226,402 vehicles sold. Chrysler sales increased 11 percent to 140,083 units and Ford sales jumped 13.9 percent with 191,885 vehicles sold. The automakers reported strong sales of trucks and sport utility vehicles.
