Toyota, GM U.S. Sales Match Ford, Chrysler Growth as Concerns Mount

GM said it sold 224.314 vehicles in the U.S last month, with Cadillac sales up 20% to 13,845 units and Buick model sales up 15% to 16,150. GM’s Chevrolet badge accounted for sales totaling 158,541, up nearly 5% over February 2012..

Toyota’s sales totaled 166,377 in the U.S. in February, up 4.3% year-over-year. Toyota posted 2012 global sales of 9.75 million vehicles, a company record and enough for Toyota to pass GM as the world’s best-selling carmaker.

German automaker Volkswagen AG reported that February U.S. sales grew by just 2.9%, compared with jump of 7% in January.

Sales in the first two months of 2013 have continued growing, but there is plenty of uncertainty about the effects of government spending cuts not only on employment but also on consumer confidence. Automakers may also begin to feel a pinch in margins as incentives are increased in order to attract buyers.