GM, Chrysler applaud 5-year best sales in October

General Motors Co. and Chrysler Group LLC embraced their best auto sales in October in five years, while Ford retained its October sales flat from the same month a year ago. General Motors Co. reported its October sales at 195,764 vehicles, rising 4.7 percent year on year. This is the highest October sales of the Detroit automaker in the U.S. since 2007, and new cars, such as the Chevrolet Spark, Buick Verano and Cadillac ATS, have helped boost sales, according to the Detroit News on Thursday. All four of GM's brands posted sales increases in October from the same month a year ago. Buick and Cadillac brand sales jumped 14.5 percent, while GMC sales rose 6.2 percent and Chevrolet sales inched up 2.7 percent. GM passenger car sales jumped 15 percent in October, while crossover sales rose 3 percent and sales of full-size pickups jumped 8 percent. Sales of mini, small and compact cars soared 72 percent from the same month a year ago, Cruze sales jumped 34 percent; and the Chevy Volt sold a record 2,961 units. Chrysler Group LLC's October sales jumped 10 percent and were the best October sales of theautomaker in five years. Chrysler, Dodge, Ram Truck and Fiat brands all posted sales increases in October compared with the same month a year ago. Dodge sales rose 20 percent; sales of the Dodge Caravan jumped 49 percent and sales of the Charger went up 36 percent. Ford Motor Co. released its October sales at 168,456 units, flat from the same month a year ago, though its retail sales rose 2 percent and small cars posted the strongest October sales in 11 years. Volkswagen of America Inc. sold 34,311 units in October, soaring 22.4 percent from the same month a year ago. The German automaker said it had its best October sales in the U.S. since 1972, with the best October sales ever for the Passat and Tiguan, selling 8,355 and 2,752 units, respectively. Other automakers will release sales later Thursday.