Chrysler, GM Report April Sales Declines

Chrysler Corp., feeling the effects of an engine plant strike, reported an 11.5% drop in U.S. sales for April, while General Motors Corp. reported a smaller decline. GM, the largest U.S. auto maker, reported an April sales decline of 5.2% as total car and truck sales fell to 418,173 from 441,254, in part because of its own labor troubles. GM’s car sales were 236,562, a 12.6% decline from last year. Total truck sales rose 6.5% to 181,611 from 170,502. Chrysler finished April with total sales of 204,080, down from last year’s all-time April record of 230,469. Light-truck sales were 134,166, down 9.8% from 148,768 a year ago. Car sales tumbled almost 14% to 69,914. Toyota Motor Corp., however, reported record April U.S. sales of 98,071 cars and light trucks, an increase of 9.7% from a year ago. Toyota’s total car sales jumped 12.3% to 68,390. Total sport-utility vehicle sales were up 7.8% to 16,675. Pickup truck sales rose 1.8% to 12,505.