GM, Ford say sales are up; Chrysler drops

DETROIT, Nov. 3 (UPI) -- Two out of three U.S. automakers reported vehicle sales increased in October, with Chrysler Group LLC reporting sales slumped significantly, down 30 percent.

General Motors Co. said it sold 177,603 vehicles in the month, while Ford said it sold 132,483.

For GM, it was the third consecutive month it advanced its market share, claiming 21 percent of the light vehicle market, The Detroit News reported Tuesday.

GM sales rose 4 percent over October 2008, while Ford sales rose 3 percent from a year ago. Ford said its market share increased for the 12th time in 13 months.

Chrysler said it sold 65,803 vehicles, a 6 percent increase from September, but a sharp drop from October 2008.

Other automakers posted mixed results. Kia Motors America said it sold 22,490 units, a 45.3 percent jump from a year ago. American Honda Motor Co. said its sales dropped less than 1 percent from October 2008.

Toyota Motor Corp. sold 152,165 vehicles, almost even with its sales a year ago. Mercedes-Benz USA said it sold 18,193, a 21.3 percent improvement from a year ago.