US automobile sales rose in September for a seventh straight month, although the pace of the increase showed signs of slowing.
Total automobile sales rose by 9pc in September to 1.25mn, according to automotive consultant Autodata. Light truck sales continued to outpace passenger car sales, with demand rising by 16pc last month. Car sales rose just 2pc. The rise in total sales outpaced the 5.5pc increase in the first nine months of the year to 12.43mn.
Sales on a seasonally adjusted basis held firm at 16.43mn in September, holding above the 16mn level for a seventh straight month. But the volume was the lowest since April.
"Auto sales remained strong in September and rounded out an excellent third quarter, the best for the industry since 2006," said Toyota's US division group vice-president and general manager, Bill Fay. "Sports utility vehicles and crossovers continue to be the industry's hot spots."
Automakers and analysts expect demand to hold firm over the coming months.
"Buyers have been able to secure low financing deals and have responded to lease offers in record numbers," said Jessica Caldwell, senior analyst at Edmunds.com that provides analysis and pricing guides for the US automobile industry. "These are behaviours that bode well for the continued strength of new car sales."
ip/rjd
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