Chrysler's U.S. sales jumped 21 percent last year, the carmaker's strongest performance since 2007. The company's sales growth, which outpaced the U.S. auto industry overall, was a strong sign that Americans were feeling more confident about the economy last year.
One recent study of used-car buying habits found that women were more likely to do research, ask tougher questions, and have a mechanic inspect a used car before buying. Another study on new-car buying preferences shows that women make more practical automotive choices.
While car buyers have been able to comparison shop online for years, drivers who want to lease their cars mainly have had to do their own legwork -- until now. LeaseTrader.com this week launched a new service to help them comparison shop for leases.
Carmakers are expected to report a mixed picture for October sales: mostly better than a year ago, but down slightly from September. Still, the pace appears strong enough that the upper end of full-year forecasts is reachable.
General Motors' share of the U.S. automobile market is expected to slip to 18% in September, the third lowest ever recorded by the Detroit automaker.
Analysts' expectations are that sales rose to the highest levels of the year last month as increased automaker incentives lured bargain-hunters.