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Toyota leads US car sales to best month in four years Toyota leads US car sales to best month in four years
(35 minutes later)
New car sales in the US posted the best month in more than four years, with Toyota Motor showing the biggest rise.New car sales in the US posted the best month in more than four years, with Toyota Motor showing the biggest rise.
Toyota saw sales rise 42% in September. Honda reported a jump of 31%, while Chrysler sales increased 12%.Toyota saw sales rise 42% in September. Honda reported a jump of 31%, while Chrysler sales increased 12%.
Buyers in the US have been eager to take advantage of low interest rates and cheap financing. Analysts said buyers in the US were taking advantage of low interest rates and cheap financing.
The US car industry's recovery has been a boon to the US economy in recent months.The US car industry's recovery has been a boon to the US economy in recent months.
Increased demandIncreased demand
Industry-wide sales were up 12.8% in September compared to a year earlier, to 1.19 million cars and light trucks.Industry-wide sales were up 12.8% in September compared to a year earlier, to 1.19 million cars and light trucks.
Calculated on an annualised basis that is 14.94 million vehicles, the highest rate since March 2008 according to Autodata.Calculated on an annualised basis that is 14.94 million vehicles, the highest rate since March 2008 according to Autodata.
Analysts said the increased demand for passenger vehicles comes after consumers in the US delayed buying new cars during the recession which went on till 2009.Analysts said the increased demand for passenger vehicles comes after consumers in the US delayed buying new cars during the recession which went on till 2009.
That pushed the age of vehicles on the road up, and now those consumers are looking for replacement cars.That pushed the age of vehicles on the road up, and now those consumers are looking for replacement cars.
"I think in general with the economy chugging along at about 1.5% to 2% that we are gradually seeing people come back," said Ford chief economist Ellen Hughes-Cromwick."I think in general with the economy chugging along at about 1.5% to 2% that we are gradually seeing people come back," said Ford chief economist Ellen Hughes-Cromwick.
Japanese carmakers continue to show the biggest gains as they rebound from a supply shortage caused by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Japanese carmakers continue to show the biggest gains as they rebound from a supply shortage caused by the earthquake and tsunami in March 2011.