US auto sales up in September on big trucks

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-Excite

By DEE-ANN DURBIN and TOM KRISHER

DETROIT (AP) - U.S. buyers shrugged off economic worries and snapped up SUVs and pickups last month, surprising the auto industry and raising hopes that a bumpy year will end on a high note.

Big trucks typically sell when the housing market and construction industry are strong, gas prices are low and consumer confidence is high. None of those was true in September. The economy remains weak, confidence is shaky and a gallon of gas prices cost nearly $1 per more than in September 2010.

But other factors boosted truck sales. Small businesses must eventually replace aging fleets of work trucks, and auto companies offered some good deals to clear out 2011 model trucks. They also stepped up their marketing. And consumers are learning to live with economic uncertainty.

"We see consumers being more comfortable with buying cars in a continuously volatile environment," said Jesse Toprak, vice president of industry trends and insights for the car pricing site TrueCar.com. "Traditionally, they would have postponed making the purchase decision."


Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20111003/D9Q54KSO2.html

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In this May 24, 2011 photo, 2012 Chrysler 200 vehicles are seen on the assembly line at the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant in Sterling Heights, Mich. Chrysler Group LLC said Monday, Oct. 3, 2011, its September auto sales rose 27.2 percent on high demand for its new models.(AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

[FailureToCommunicate]

1. "Consumers are learning to live with economic uncertainty"

or, maybe Scott Brown wannabes are buying the trucks??