March Auto Sales Jump

Automakers saw their biggest U.S. gains in years for the month of March, led by Toyota Motor Corp. with a 41% increase, Ford Motor Co. with a 40% improvement and General Motors Co. with a 21% upturn, Bloomberg reported Thursday.

GM’s total of 188,546 vehicles pushed it past Ford for the first time since 1998. Toyota’s total was 186,863 units, while Ford sold 183,783, Bloomberg said.

Toyota’s incentives to counter worldwide brake-related recalls spurred its competitors to match its deals, Bloomberg reported.

Japan’s Honda Motor Co. and Nissan Motor Corp. also reported gains for the month, with Honda up 22% to 108,262 and Nissan jumping 45% to 95,468.

Korea-based Hyundai Motor Co.’s sales rose 15% to 47,002 units.