U.S. light-vehicle sales increased 6.8% year over year to 1.3 million units in Feb 2016.  This is the highest February sales since 2001. Snowstorms in January prompted many customers to postpone their purchases to February, thus driving sales in the month. Attractive Presidents Day deals also played a role.

Consequently, sales on a seasonally adjusted annualized rate (“SAAR”) basis increased to 17.53 million units in Feb 2016 from 16.39 million units in Feb 2015. This is the highest SAAR for any February since 2000.

Among the six major American and Japanese automakers, Ford Motor Co. (F – Analyst Report) recorded the maximum year-over-year sales improvement in Feb 2016. Meanwhile, General Motors Company (GM – Analyst Report) led in absolute figures for the month.

Now, let us take a look at the U.S. sales figures reported by individual automakers.

U.S. Automakers

General Motors recorded 227,825 vehicle sales in February, marking a 1.5% year-over-year decrease due to lower rental deliveries. However, retail sales improved 6.6%, while commercial deliveries rose 7%.

Ford reported a 20.4% increase in U.S. sales from the year-ago period to 217,192 vehicles in Feb 2016. Sales volume of the Lincoln brand vehicles advanced 30.4% year over year to 8,039 units in the month. Sales of the Ford brand improved 20.1% year over year to 209,153 vehicles.

FCA US LLC – controlled by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCAU – Snapshot Report) – recorded a 12% year-over-year rise in sales to 182,879 vehicles in Feb 2016. With this, the company’s monthly sales have increased year over year for 71 consecutive months. This impressive feat also marks the best February sales for the group since 2006.

Japanese Automakers

Toyota Motor Corporation’s (TM – Analyst Report) sales improved 4.1% year over year to 187,954 units in Feb 2016. Sales in the Toyota division rose 4.7% to 164.864 units. Lexus’ sales went up 0.4% to 23,090 units.