Ford Motor Co said its US auto sales rose 8 percent in March, narrowly topping analysts' expectations, as the company benefited from a strong performance by its pickup trucks and SUVs. Earlier on Friday, Nissan Motor Co reported a 13 percent gain in March US auto sales on the strength of its mainstay sedans. Nissan's car sales rose 15.6 percent, while its SUV and truck sales were up 9.4 percent, the company said.
Ford said its truck sales increased 11.4 percent, and its utility vehicles rose 14 percent, but its car sales fell 1.6 percent. March US sales on an annualised basis are expected to come in at around 17.25 million vehicles, a Reuters poll of 10 industry analysts showed, for a gain of about 7 percent from a year earlier. Monthly auto sales are an early indicator of US consumer behaviour.