Holiday weekend gives a boost to auto sales

FILE - In this March 27, 2013 file photo, the 2014 Jeep Cherokee Limited is presented at the New York International Auto Show, in New York's Javits Center. Chrysler on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2013 said its November U.S. sales rose a surprising 16 percent, a sign that the auto industry will beat strong numbers from a year ago. The company sold more than 10,000 Cherokees in the small crossover SUVs first full month on the market. (
FILE - In this March 27, 2013 file photo, the 2014 Jeep Cherokee Limited is presented at the New York International Auto Show, in New York's Javits Center. Chrysler on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2013 said its November U.S. sales rose a surprising 16 percent, a sign that the auto industry will beat strong numbers from a year ago. The company sold more than 10,000 Cherokees in the small crossover SUVs first full month on the market. (

DETROIT — The holiday weekend was good to U.S. automakers, as sales reports indicate the auto industry is on track to beat strong numbers from a year ago.

Chrysler’s U.S. sales rose a surprising 16 percent in November, while General Motors posted a 14 percent gain. Toyota sales rose 10 percent, Nissan was up 11 percent and Ford notched a 7 percent increase. Of major automakers, only Volkswagen and Honda reported sales drops. VW was off 16 percent, while Honda sales were down less than 1 percent.

Read Wednesday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for more details.

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