Auto sales in the US rose in August against analysts' predictions of a slowdown amid turmoil in the stock markets and Hurricane Irene.

General Motors saw an 18 per cent rise in deliveries last month compared to a year before, as all of the Big Three manufacturers posted strong results.

Ford boosted its sales by 11 per cent to 175,220 vehicles, while Chrysler saw a gain of 31 per cent.

Total industry sales were up 7.5 per cent year-on-year at an annualised rate of 12.12 million vehicles.

Detroit carmakers could be benefitting from the continued problems of Japanese manufacturers in the wake of the March earthquake and tsunami.

Toyota's US sales slipped 13 per cent during August, but improvements are expected as dealers are able to fill their showrooms.

Supply shortages also hit Honda, which reported a 27 per cent drop in deliveries last month.

Automakers also felt the effects of Hurricane Irene as it battered the US east coast last month, driving people away from dealerships.

Nissan appears, however, to have ridden out the storm and posted a 19 per cent increase in sales, though it said it lost around 3,300 orders.

"The economic news never impacted me during the month. What did impact me was losing the last weekend on the Eastern Seaboard," head of Nissan brand sales Al Castignetti told Reuters.

Volkswagen also did well in August, with sales up ten per cent year-on-year.

Source:

WRAPUP 4-U.S. August auto sales defy consumer caution (01/09/11)

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