Auto Industry, 2010 | featured news

General Motors Co posted a 7.5 percent rise in December U.S. auto sales and said it expects the industry to report sales at a 13 million-vehicle annualized rate for last month -- far higher than many forecasts and what would be the highest rate of 2010.

October was a relatively good month for the auto industry, which is trying to build momentum in what has been a slow recovery.

The month of October is just about a wrap, and it’s shaping up to be a good one for the auto industry.

Retail sales are expected to show an increase in August despite weakness in auto sales. Economists surveyed by Thomson Reuters expect retail sales will increase 0.3 percent in August following a 0.4 percent rise in July.

Electric-car maker Telsa Motors, which makes a luxury all-electric car that sells for $109,000, hopes to raise $178 million from its IPO, which could debut on Nasdaq on June 29.

Spending fell 1.2%, the biggest dip in eight months. Auto sales were down 1.7%. Retail sales plunged in May by the largest amount in eight months as consumers slashed spending on everything from cars to clothing.

General Motors said its U.S. sales in May jumped 32% for the four brands the company kept after its restructuring thanks to continued strong demand for crossover vehicles and cars.

General Motors said its domestic sales in April rose 20% for the four brands the company is keeping thanks to continued strength in crossover vehicles and cars.

U.S. auto sales continued to rise in April as the stabilizing economy and attractive discounts brought more consumers into showrooms.

Chrysler Group LLC Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne reiterated that the auto maker "intends to break even" on an operating basis this year and will hit its target of selling 1.1 million new vehicles in the U.S.