DETROIT (AP) -- BMW and Hyundai Motor Co. posted significant sales gains in the United States last month, while Mazda Motor Corp. sustained a double-digit decline in an otherwise robust March.
The sales figures released Friday followed strong reports a day earlier by DaimlerChrysler AG, Toyota Motor Corp., Honda Motor Co. and several other major automakers. The industry's torrid performance in March and the first quarter is another sign of the strength of the U.S. economy.General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co., which together command 53 percent of the U.S. market, plan to report their March figures next week. The 17 automakers who had reported sales figures by Friday were up 14 percent combined for the first quarter and 12 percent in March.
Germany's BMW had its best month in the United States ever, with sales up 14 percent over a year ago. The increase was driven by strong demand for the redesigned 3-series sedans. For the quarter, BMW's sales were up 16 percent.
Korean carmaker Hyundai increased its sales 18 percent over March 1997, based on the daily sales rate. The Elantra compact sedan was the strongest performer, with sales up 74 percent. Hyundai posted a 13 percent improvement for the first three months of the year.
Japan's Mazda was one of the few exceptions to the March and first-quarter sales trend.
Its sales were down 21.5 percent for the month, capping a first quarter that was down nearly 11 percent. While sales of Mazda's Millenia luxury sedan were up by 24.5 percent and B-series pickup sales improved 20 percent, demand for Mazda's other models was down sharply.
One reason for the decline was the MPV minivan went out of production in December and stocks have declined, spokesman Brian Betz said. A redesigned MPV was unveiled this week at the New York International Auto Show and will begin arriving in showrooms in July.