The US data on auto sales showed a positive sign in March thanks to the general improvement in the economy. It should also be noted that the increase in oil prices has supported the sales of energy-efficient cars. General Motors, the largest automaker by revenue, said it sold 231.052 vehicles in the United States, up 12% from a year ago. An increase in sales was also recorded by Ford, Chrysler, Toyota, Nissan, Hyundai and Volkswagen. According to data provided by Robert Brusca of FAO Economics, global auto sales in March grew by 35% compared to the fourth quarter of 2011.
GM vice president Don Johnson said low-energy cars and crossovers were leading the march. The automaker sold 2.289 Volt electric cars, up 50 percent from December 2011. Ford also saw sales of fuel-efficient cars grow 78 percent. Chrysler Group, controlled by Italy's Fiat, achieved sales of 121.730 units (+34%), the best result since March 2008.
http://www.japantoday.com/category/business/view/fuel-efficient-autos-drive-u-s-sales-higher
