Small Cars boost april Sales up 18%

US vehicle sales rose 18% in April, auto makers said on Tuesday, as consumers flocked to smaller cars in response to higher fuel prices and improved models from surging American firms.

US vehicle sales rose 18% in April, auto makers said on Tuesday, as consumers flocked to smaller cars in response to higher fuel prices and improved models from surging American firms.

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General Motors led the Detroit auto makers last month with a 27% gain in sales, led by strong demand for its Chevrolet Cruze compact sedan and smaller, more fuel-efficient sport utility vehicles.

Auto firms attributed the surge in small-car sales to gas prices.

One of the hottest car companies was Hyundai, which rode the success of its new Elantra to a 40% overall rise in sales.

All three Japanese auto makers lagged the market, especially Toyota, where sales increased about 1%.