U.S. automakers see double-digit sales gains in May

[jpak]

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-auto-sales-20100603,0,216016.story

GM sales rose 32% compared with a year earlier, excluding the closed or sold Pontiac, Hummer, Saturn and Saab brands. Ford's numbers went up 23%, and Chrysler reports a 33% increase.

The major American automakers all posted double-digit gains in sales in May, a period during which most analysts had thought the auto business would move back into the slow lane.

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Although other automakers were expected to also post sales gains Wednesday, most analysts believe the numbers will be at a slower pace compared with what the industry garnered earlier this year.

General Motors Co. said Wednesday that its sales rose 32% in May compared with a year earlier, after factoring out the Pontiac, Hummer, Saturn and Saab brands it closed or sold as part of its bankruptcy reorganization.

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