• by Karl Greenberg , November 3, 2015

Automakers reported a gigantic sales month in October, thanks once again to trucks and SUVs. If you took the month’s sales and extrapolated over the entire year, it would be an over-18-million unit year. The best year ever was in the 17 million range. 

General Motors’ Chevrolet division posted its best sales numbers since 2004, helping GM's numbers rise 16% compared with a year ago. The company says its retail market share has now climbed for seven consecutive months versus 2014. Commercial deliveries in October were up year-over-year for the 24th consecutive monthly gain. Total fleet sales were up 16%.

Kurt McNeil, U.S. VP of sales, said trucks and SUVs did the trick, “and our move into the small crossover and mid-size pickup segments were smart bets and our timing couldn’t be better with industry sales at record levels.” He also touted the success of GM’s online shopping channel, Shop-Click-Drive, an effort to drive set pricing. “We see more growth ahead because it’s simple and transparent.”

Chevrolet's crossovers were up 58%, the 11th consecutive monthly increase versus a year ago. Chevrolet reported trucks sales were up 13%, the 19th consecutive monthly increase, and Chevrolet cars were up 6%, the best October result since 2004.

Fiat Chrysler posted its 67th consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains, the company reported. All of its brands posted gains, especially Jeep, up 33%. 

Nissan’s eponymous division posted an October record with sales up 12%, driven by Nissan crossovers, trucks and SUV, which, as a group, increased 26%. Sales of the Nissan Rogue crossover set an October record at 24,939, an increase of 70%. Cars were up 2%.

Both Hyundai and sibling Kia posted their best-ever October numbers. Hyundai sales were up 20% versus last year, driven by SUVs Tucson, Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport. Kia notched a 12% increase over the same period last year, with the Optima sedan and Soul compact crossover with 14,381 and 12,246 units sold, respectively.