Detroit 3 gain market share in April on strength of pickups, crossovers

Recent retiree Maggie Merrill and her husband represent the budding optimism that continued to bolster auto sales in April.

The Hilliard, Ohio, couple bought a 2013 Buick Enclave they plan to take on family trips this summer.

“We looked at the Cadillac SRX, but the Enclave had a lot of the similar luxury items and the Cadillac was too small,” Merrill said. “We looked at Hondas too, but we prefer to buy American.”

A growing sense of security among some consumers as well as business owners translated into strong sales of crossovers and pickup trucks, which benefited the Detroit Three more than their Asian rivals.