NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / January 5, 2017 / The Automotive Industry surged Wednesday after Ford, General Motors and Fiat Chrysler reported monthly sales figures that topped expectations. Automakers sold a record 17.5 million vehicles in 2015, that number is expected to be surpassed in 2016, when final numbers are released for the industry. The S&P 500 Automobiles Industry Index jumped 4.67 percent on Wednesday. The Index fell 2.69 percent in 2016.

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"Key economic indicators, especially consumer confidence, continue to reflect optimism about the US economy and strong customer demand continues to drive a very healthy US auto industry," said Mustafa Mohatarem, GM's chief economist. "We believe the US auto industry remains well-positioned for sales to continue at or near record levels in 2017."

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F)

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Ford's shares gained 4.61 percent to close at $13.17 a share Wednesday. The stock traded between $12.74 and $13.27 on volume of 77.64 million shares traded. Ford reported total US sales totaled 239,854 vehicles, an increase of 0.3 percent. Retail sales totaled 183,454 vehicles, an increase of 5 percent, marking the company's best December retail sales since 2004. U.S. sales of 2,614,697 vehicles in 2016 were Ford's best in 10 years.

"December marked Ford's best retail performance since 2004, with average transaction prices increasing $1,600 for the month ? $1,000 more than the industry average," said Mark LaNeve, Ford vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service. "Thanks to strong customer demand for F-Series, Transit and an all-new lineup of heavy trucks, Ford capped 2016 as America's best-selling truck brand."

General Motors Company (NYSE: GM)

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General Motors' shares surged 5.52 percent to close at $37.09 a share Wednesday. The stock traded between $35.47 and $37.24 on volume of 23.39 million shares traded. On Wednesday, the largest American auto manufacturer reported total U.S. sales were 319,108 vehicles in December, an increase of 10 percent when compared to a year ago and above analysts' estimates of a 4.4 percent rise. In December, GM's total U.S. market share increased 1.5 points to 18.8 percent. GM's annual U.S. retail sales were up nearly 2 percent when compared to a year ago.

"We finished 2016 with a strong December, reflecting the continued strength of GM's U.S. retail and commercial businesses," said Kurt McNeil, GM's vice president of U.S. Sales Operations. "We begin 2017 well positioned to continue growing our U.S. retail business, driven by all-new products like the Chevrolet Equinox and Traverse being launched into key, growing U.S. market segments."

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