WINDSOR

Chrysler U.S. sales up 5 per cent in March

Published Tuesday, April 2, 2013 10:02AM EDT

A row of 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokees sit on a lot in South Burlington, Vermont, January 31, 2012. (AP / Toby Talbot)

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DETROIT -- Chrysler says its U.S. sales rose 5 per cent last month from a year ago.

The automaker says it sold almost 172,000 cars and trucks in March. It was the company's best sales month since December 2007.

The increase is another sign that U.S. auto sales continue to be a bright spot in the economy. Industry analysts estimate that March sales reached nearly 1.5 million cars and trucks, a number not seen since May 2007. Total U.S. sales are expected to be up 3 to 5 percent over March of 2012.

All automakers report U.S. sales through the day on Tuesday.

Chrysler was led by the Ram pickup with a 25 per cent sales increase.

But Chrysler's strong growth from previous years is slowing. Last year the company's sales rose 21 per cent.