Ford, Chrysler Sales See January Jump

Automakers will be reporting January U.S. sales today, and based on the two already out, it appears that it was a very good month. Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F) reported sales up 22% year-over-year for the month and Chrysler Group, which is controlled by Italy's Fiat SpA, posted 16% sales growth in January.

Ford reported total U.S. vehicle sales of 166,501, including 46,481 F-Series pickups, 22,399 Fusion models and 19,939 Escape models. One dim spot is sales of the company's Lincoln brand, down 18.2% year-over-year, despite a big marketing and branding push.

Chrysler sold a total of 117,731 vehicles in the U.S. in January, the company's best sales for the month since 2008. Dodge-branded vehicles led the way, up 37%. Sales of the Ram-branded pickup trucks rose 14% to the highest January level in six years.

Ford's shares are up 0.5% at $13.02, in a 52-week range of $8.82 to $14.30.

General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM), Toyota Motor Corp. (NYSE: TM) and Honda Motor Co. Ltd. (NYSE: HMC) will report sales later today.

Filed under: 24/7 Wall St. Wire, Autos Tagged: F, featured, GM, HMC, TM