U.S. Vehicle Sales Rise 8.7% in Late September

DETROIT — Late-September sales of North American-made cars and light trucks rose 8.7%, based on strong sales of General Motors Corp. trucks, as the auto industry Wednesday posted what appeared to be its fifth-best model year.

For the 12-month model year ended Sept. 30, domestic and overseas auto makers reported selling vehicles at a daily rate of 48,669, down 1.9% from the rate of 49,603 during the same time last year.

Among the Big Three, Ford Motor Co. led car-sale increases over the 1988 model year, with a 3.2% rise. GM’s car sales were off 1.8% and Chrysler Corp.’s were down 7.5%.

On the truck side, GM led the model-year charge with sales 6.1% ahead of last year. Chrysler’s light truck sales were up 1.6% while Ford’s were down 1.8%.

The 1988 model year was the third-best on record, with about 15.6 million cars and trucks sold. It’s expected that after heavy truck sales figures are compiled in several weeks, sales for the 1989 model year will total about 15.4 million, just under the 15.5 million vehicles sold during 1987, the fourth-best model year.

Low Expectations

The best model year in history was 1986, when 16.1 million vehicles were purchased. During the past five model years, more than 78 million vehicles have been sold in the United States, enough for one new car or truck for every 3.2 people in the country.

The 1989 model year started off with some dire predictions. Analysts forecast a souring economy and said the vehicle market appeared nearly saturated.

But cars and trucks continued to roll off assembly lines and into owners’ driveways.

Some analysts persist in saying a dark cloud is looming. There’s been concern that a spurt of buying in the late summer may have been fueled by concerns about price increases on 1990 models--and that those increases wouldn’t be softened by buyer incentives.

Many Incentives

Each of the Big Three already has offered incentives on a limited number of 1990 vehicles. But they are not being offered to consumers at the same level as were rebates and low-interest financing deals three or four months ago.

However, some widespread dealer incentives are in effect, especially at GM.

AUTO SALES Figures do not include truck sales.

Sept. 21-30 % 10-Day 1989 chang GM 131,939 +13.7 Ford 75,035 + 6.0 Chrysler 29,104 -12.6 Honda U.S. 13,036 -11.8 Mitsubishi U.S. 1,416 * Nissan U.S. 4,456 -56.8 Toyota U.S. 9,400 +145.7 Mazda U.S. 1,386 +3.9 TOTAL 265,772 +6.1

There were 9 selling days in the selling period this year and last year.

*No comparison possible.