Oct. 3, 2013—For the first time in more than two years, U.S. auto sales have declined for the month of September, due in part to Labor Day weekend sales landing in August. Still, automakers showed strong gains for the third quarter that ended Sept. 30.
Industry sales totaled 1.1 million vehicles in September, marking a 4.2 percent decrease from September 2012 and ending the 27-month streak of year-over-year gains.
General Motors Co. saw sales fall 11 percent and Honda Motor Co. 9.9 percent. Other decreases included Hyundai at 8.2 percent, Nissan at 5.5 percent and Toyota at 4.3 percent.
Truck sales helped Ford Motor Co. reach a 5.7 percent gain, and Chrysler squeezed out a 0.7 percent gain.