August Auto Sales Roundup: What GM, Ford, Fiat Chrysler & Other Major Manufacturers Reported

US auto manufacturers and international manufactures that sell their cars in the US market publish previous month's sales data on the first day of every month.

saw its total US auto sales fall 0.7 percent year over year to 270,480 vehicles. The company

its retail deliveries rose six percent and gained more than one percentage point of retail market share year over year. Fleet sales fell 24 percent on a 38 percent decline in rental deliveries. General Motors stated that it continues to have the highest average transaction prices (ATPs) and the lowest incentives as a percentage if ATP in the domestic industry. "GM's retail sales increase far outpaced the industry in August, and we have grown our retail share for five months in a row compared to last year," said Kurt McNeil, GM's U.S. vice president of Sales Operations. "We will continue this momentum with the redesigned Chevrolet Cruze and Malibu, the launch of diesel engines for our midsize pickups, a dramatic restyling of the Chevrolet Silverado and the aggressive rollout of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto." Finally, General Motors stated its seasonally adjusted annual selling rate (SAAR) for light vehicles totalled 17.5 million units in August, marking the fourth month in a row above 17 million units. The company further noted this streak has been "unmatched" since 2006.

its total August US sales rose five percent from a year ago to 234,237 vehicles – marking the company's best August performance in nine years. Ford's F-Series line of trucks saw its sales jump five percent from a year ago to 71,332 while total sales of SUVs rose 12 percent to 69,077 vehicles – the best August sales performance for Ford branded SUVs since 2003. Also of note, sales of Mustang vehicles surged 70 percent from a year ago to 9,997 units. "Customer demand for our newest vehicles made August a strong month for Ford," said Mark LaNeve, Ford vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service. "Improved availability helped make August the strongest sales month this year for F-Series. We also had our best month of Ford SUV sales in 12 years."

its total August US sales rose two percent to 201,672 units. Fiat Chrysler said that it recorded its best August since 2002 with eight vehicles setting records in the month of August, including the Jeep Compass whose sales rose 58 percent from a year ago – marking its best sales month ever. The company further noted that both the Jeep and Ram Truck brands posted year over year sales gains with the Jeep brand's 18 percent increase in sales extending its streak of year-over-year sales gains to 65 consecutive months. "In spite of a tough 2014 comparison and extreme stock market volatility, our dealer's competitive spirit kicked in and propelled us to our 65th-consecutive month of year-over-year sales increases," said Reid Bigland, Head of U.S. Sales. "Our Jeep brand turned in a double-digit increase while eight individual models, including four Jeep brand vehicles, set sales records. FCA US topped the 200,000-unit threshold in August for the second time this year." Finally, the company noted its US industry sales figures for August are internally projected at an estimated 17.8 million units seasonally adjusted annual rate.