Automakers Post Sales Gains in September

General Motors Co, the largest U.S. automaker, reported a 1.5 percent increase in September auto sales on the strength of its passenger car sales, while Ford Motor Co posted sales that were on par with its results from a year earlier.

Chrysler Group LLC, the smallest U.S. automaker, showed a 12 percent jump in sales to 142,041, marking its best September since 2007. GM reported its strongest September since 2008, selling 210,245 cars and trucks for the month.

Toyota Motor Corp.’s (TM, 7203.TO) U.S. auto sales climbed 42% in September, topping expectations from car-shopping website Edmunds.com. Toyota reported it sold 171,910 vehicles in the U.S. last month, up from 121,451 a year earlier and 8.8% below August’s total of 188,520.

Ford sold 174,976 cars and trucks in September, compared with 175,199 in September 2011. The No. 2 U.S. automaker said its retail sales to consumers rose 4 percent.