Toyota, Chrysler See Big April Sales Gains
Automakers reported their sales Tuesday. Toyota and Chrysler saw big U.S. sales gains in April, but they came at the expense of General Motors and Ford.
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US Retail Sales Rose 1.1% in February
Americans stepped up spending on retail goods in February, evidence that a stronger job market is boosting the economy. Consumers bought more autos, clothes and appliances. They also paid higher prices for gas. Retail sales increased 1.1 percent last month, the Commerce Department said Tuesday. It was the biggest gain since September.
Factory Output Jumps 0.7% in January
U.S. factories boosted output last month and December ended up being their best month of growth in five years. Strong auto sales and growing business investment in machinery and other equipment are keeping factories busy and helping the economy grow.
US Auto Sales Rise in January, Led by Chrysler, VW
U.S. auto sales are off to a strong start this year, continuing the brisk pace from late 2011. Chrysler had its best January in four years while Ford got a boost from small cars and SUVs. Volkswagen, which wants to aggressively expand in the U.S., reported much higher sales. One sour note was GM, where sales fell.
Economy Grew Modest 2.8% in Q4, Best in 2011
The U.S. economy grew at a 2.8 percent annual rate in the final three months of last year, the fastest growth in 2011. Americans spent more on cars and trucks, and companies restocked their shelves at the strongest pace in nearly two years. But growth in the October-December quarter -- and all of last year -- was held back by the biggest annual government spending cuts in four decades.
Can Toyota Catch Up to Detroit?
Somebody forgot to tell the automakers that the economy is going downhill: Auto sales in September were up 10% over last year's numbers, with all of Detroit's Big Three posting solid gains. Imports, however, did not fare as well. Can Toyota, once unstoppable, win back its former primacy, post-tsunami and accelerator debacle?
Automakers Report Strong August Sales
Fears that car buyers would stay away from dealerships in August never materialized. Instead, Americans were lured by new models, cheaper financing and the need to replace aging cars, boost August sales by 7.5%.
Will Debt Cap Fight Keep You from Buying a New Car?
Estimates of what will happen to consumer borrowing rates if the government defaults on August 2 are wildly divergent, but some expect that interests on loans could move at least .5% higher. That would certainly hurt the housing market, and could ding the new car market as well.
Toyota Accelerates Toward a Market Share Recovery
Toyota will announce Friday that by September, it expects to have all of its North American plants back to their normal production levels. Then, it can begin attempting to recoup the U.S. market share it lost due to shortages related to the Japan earthquake and tsunami, as well as a slew of recalls.
Soaring Oil Sends Stocks Sliding and Gold to a Record
The first trading day of the month is usually good to equities, but after a two-day respite, stocks went back back to broad-based declines. The sharp rise in oil prices overshadowed some encouraging corporate and economic news.
GM Earnings Preview: A Third Straight Profit?
After reporting a $4.3 billion loss during the last half of 2009, General Motors saw two positive quarters during the first half of the the year and is expected to stay on course when it reports its latest earnings Wednesday.
General Motors Says 'No' to Postponing Dealership Closings
Despite pleas by two members of Congress, General Motors said it would proceed with plans to close hundreds of dealerships across the U.S.
GM Sales Jump 10.5% in September
General Motors reported Friday that overall vehicle sales in September 2010 climbed 10.5% on a year-over-year basis, based on strong demand for its new generation of crossover vehicles. Among its four core brands, GM sales rose 22%.