Toyota, Fiat Chrysler U.S. sales dropped in April

Toyota Motor on Wednesday reported a 4.4 percent drop in U.S. sales in April, due to slack demand for its sedans, consisting of Corolla and Prius.

The Japanese automaker stated it sold 162,506 vehicles in April, compared with 170,706 units a year ago.

Major automakers reported a weak U.S. new vehicle sales in the first quarter, mentioning a rough start to the year, but are hopeful that a robust economy and strong labor market would support consumers to purchase more vehicles rest of the year.

Smaller competitor Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV too reported a 6 percent drop in sales in the United States, hurt by less demand for its Jeep SUV brand and Dodge sedans.

“The industry may be shaking off the first quarter sluggishness, but shoppers are coming into showrooms and buying,” FCA’s U.S Head of Sales Reid Bigland stated. The No. 4 automaker in the U.S. stated it sold 172,900 vehicles in April, compared with 184,149 units a year ago.

Overall Jeep brand sales dropped 8 percent to 76,325 vehicles in April.

Fiat Chrysler stated it would switch to reporting sales on a quarterly basis beginning October, joining bigger competitors General Motors and Ford Motor.