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U.S. auto sales up in February despite freezing, snowy weather

 
Published March 4, 2015

DETROIT — Freezing temperatures and drifts of snow took a small bite out of U.S. auto sales in February, but most automakers still reported gains, thanks to the strong economy.

Toyota led major automakers with a 13.3 percent gain over February 2014. Others came in below analysts' predictions. Chrysler, General Motors, Honda and Nissan all saw gains of 6 percent or less.

Ford's U.S. sales were down 1.9 percent, as dealers lacked the inventory to meet demand for the new F-150 pickup truck. Volks­wagen's sales fell 5.2 percent.

Falling unemployment, low interest rates and new versions of big sellers like the Jeep Cherokee — which saw sales jump 19 percent in February — drove buyers to dealerships in many cities. The forecasting firm LMC Automotive pushed up its 2015 forecast by 40,000 vehicles, based on strong demand, and expects U.S. sales to top 17 million this year for the first time since 2001.

Still, LMC said it became apparent as the month went along that bad weather in the mid South and on the East Coast was hurting sales. But as temperatures warmed at the end of the month, some customers came out of hibernation.

GM's sales rose 4.2 percent to 231,378. It got a boost from big SUVs like the Cadillac Escalade, which saw sales nearly double over last February, while the Chevrolet Silverado pickup jumped 24 percent last month to 45,395.

Toyota, with total sales of 180,467, bucked the industry with double-digit sales increases for the Camry, Corolla and Avalon sedans, as well as SUVs and trucks. Prius hybrid sales were down 6.6, the victim of lower gas prices.