(June 2, 2012) DETROIT — While light vehicle sales in the U.S. did well in May compared to a weak May 2011, the seasonally adjusted sales rate fell to 13.8 million, the lowest pace in 2012. Overall sales came in under expectations. But sales were still higher than any month during 2011.
May sales were aided by strong showings by Toyota and Honda as well as healthy gains at Chrysler.

The U.S. auto industry, aided by rising incentives and consumers that continue to shrug off job and financial anxieties, remains on a stable track for its best showing since 2007, when sales totaled 16.15 million.

U.S. light-vehicle demand has advanced 13 percent so far this year to nearly 6 million units.
For the U.S. Big Three, General Motors was up 11 percent month over month with its strongest showing since August 2009, Ford was up 13 percent despite a 2 percent fall off at Lincoln, and Chrysler continued its strong showings, up 30 percent May over May. Chrysler is up 33 percent for the year.

Toyota and Honda posted 87 percent and 46 percent May over May gains respectively. But those showings are compared to a horrid May 2011 when both Japanese automakers were struggling with the aftershock of the Japan earthquake and tsunami.

Other automakers showed May over May gains — Hyundai Group was up 11 percent, Nissan was up 21 percent, Volkswagen was up 24 percent, BMW was up 7 percent, and Mercedes-Benz 22 percent. 

Source: Automotive News