U.S. Automakers Lose Market Share

Toyota's U.S. sales jumped 11.7 percent last month, boosted by record hybrid sales and strong overall car sales, and fellow Japanese automakers Honda and Nissan both reported solid gains. But GM's sales fell 4 percent while Ford posted a 9 percent decline and DaimlerChrysler fell 4.1 percent.

The numbers Tuesday come as the domestic automakers have seen Asian rivals led by Toyota capture growing shares of the U.S. market. But despite its decline, Ford still held off Toyota for the No. 2 U.S. sales spot for the month, and Ford regained from GM the claim to having the nation's top-selling pickup truck even though F- series sales fell 15.1 percent.

In all, Toyota Motor Corp. sold 242,675 light vehicles in the U.S., including 140,009 cars, up 19.4 percent from the same month a year ago, and 102,666 trucks, a 2.7 percent increase. So far this year, Toyota has sold 61,635 hybrids in the U.S., up 68 percent from the first three months of last year. That includes 28,453 hybrids last month.

"This month marks a milestone eight years in the making," Jim Lentz, executive vice president of Toyota's U.S. division, said in a statement. "Record U.S. sales of Toyota and Lexus hybrids have now topped the half-million mark."

Detroit-based General Motors Corp., which saw its fleet sales drop for the month as it works to cut low-profit sales to rental car companies, sold 345,418 light vehicles, including 136,866 cars, up 2.3 percent, and 208,552 trucks, down 7.7 percent.

"In March, we saw continued strength and stability in our retail business led by gains in mid-(size) cars, crossovers, economy cars and luxury SUVs," said Mark LaNeve, GM's vice president of North American sales, service and marketing.

GM said sales of its Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickup trucks, GMC Acadia crossover and Saturn Outlook sport utility vehicles were exceeding its expectations. Paul Ballew, GM's executive director of global market and industry analysis, said the results highlighted a strong start for its crossovers, including the Acadia.

"We have new product that's being accepted in the marketplace," Ballew said in conference call with industry analysts and reporters.

Ford Motor Co.'s sales of 263,684 light vehicles included 174,200 trucks, down 5.9 percent from the same month a year ago, and 89,484 cars, down 14.6 percent.

"We remain committed to offering more of the products that our customers really want, and the popularity of our new cars and crossovers is proof we're delivering," Mark Fields, Ford's president of the Americas, said.

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