Tax increases. Rising gas prices. Political dysfunction in Washington. None of that kept Americans away from auto dealer showrooms in February as General Motors (GM), Ford (F) and other automakers posted strong sales gains.
Industry analysts expect last month's sales to be up about 7 percent from a year earlier as pent-up demand and cheap financing kept the U.S. auto sales recovery powering along. But while sales for 2013 are expected to top last year's, monthly increases are likely to be smaller than the double-digit gains the industry posted during the last two years as sales recovered from historic lows in 2009.
GM sales rose 7 percent, while Ford's increased 9 percent. Chrysler and Volkswagen also reported increases, but both slowed from the torrid pace of the past two years. Chrysler sales were up 4 percent over a year earlier, while VW sales were up 3 percent. Toyota sales were up just over 4 percent.
Source
Associated Press