DETROIT _
General Motors Co. (
NYSE: GM,
Stock Forum) says its October U.S. sales rose nearly 16 per cent as pickup trucks and many of its cars rebounded from a tough September.
The company says it sold more than 226,000 cars and trucks last month, up from nearly 196,000 a year ago.
Sales of the Chevrolet Silverado pickup, GM's top-selling vehicle, rose 10 per cent and sales of the GMC Sierra pickup increased 13 per cent.
GM's increase outpaced crosstown rival Ford, which reported a 14 per cent gain.
Industry analysts say sales slowed during the first two weeks of October during the partial government shutdown. But they rebounded in the second half.
Healthy increases from GM, Ford and Chrysler are signs that the auto industry recovered from a lacklustre September.
General Motors shares rose 1.5% to $37.49 on Friday, leaving a market cap of $51.9 billion, based on 1.4 billion shares outstanding. The 52-week range is $37.99 and $23.39.