CLIO -- April sales for the Big Three automakers were up, providing more signs that the industry is on the rebound. Ford Motor Company and Chrysler LLC sales jumped 25 percent, while General Motors saw a modest increase of 6.4 percent. Still, it comes as welcome news for dealers like Jim Simms of Simms Chevorlet in Clio.
“We’re also up from (April) last year, I’m happy to report,” he said. Simms attributed the bounce to several factors.
"Toyota definitely helped with that push,” he said. “I think people are showing a little more discipline on saving and researching before they are buying; not always buying the best deal out there. I think they are realizing that American cars are a really good value."
Ford is the healthiest of the automotive giants thus far, posting a $2 billion profit in the first quarter of 2010, as it remains the only one of the Big Three to be outside of federal control. General Motors April sales data comes the same month executives announced all government loans were repaid, although GM still has billions of taxpayer dollars held in equity. Some auto analysts even expect Chrysler to break even by years end.
Meanwhile dealers like Simms said any progress is welcome news. “The economy is growing. Let’s take advantage of it,” he said.
