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Cash for clunkers boosts auto sales

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The Associated Press

Published: August 4, 2009

DETROIT - Lured by the government's cash for clunkers campaign, car and truck buyers started returning to showrooms in July, with Ford Motor Co. reporting its first U.S. sales increase in nearly two years and other major automakers saying sales are showing signs of stability.

Ford, led by the redesigned Fusion, the Escape and F-series pickups, offered encouraging signs for analysts, who expect a slight improvement for the rest of 2009.

July sales of Ford, Lincoln and Mercury light vehicles rose 1.6 percent from the same month in 2008. Ford sold 158,354 vehicles, a 2.2 percent increase over June, showing the worst U.S. auto sales slump in a quarter-century might be easing.
Chrysler Group LLC posted a smaller year-over-year sales drop compared with recent months. It said its sales fell 9.4 percent.

Subaru of America's U.S. sales rose 34 percent in July. Hyundai's sales rose 12 percent. Toyota Motor Co. posted an 11 percent drop.

The Associated Press

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