March looks to have turned out to be one of the biggest months for auto sales in nearly six years.
The industry sold almost 1.5 million vehicles in March, about 5% more than the same month a year earlier and likely the most since the 1.6 million sold in May 2007, according to automotive information company Edmunds.com.
General Motors Co. said Tuesday that its U.S. sales rose more than 6% to 245,950 vehicles compared to the same month a year earlier, "thanks to a strengthening economy and new products,” said Kurt McNeil, vice president of U.S. sales operations.
Ford Motor Co. said it sold 236,160 vehicles last month, a 6% rise from the same period a year earlier.
Truck sales for Ford and the other Detroit automakers were particularly good as the truck-heavy home construction industry continues to recover in the U.S.