GM sales up; Ford, Fiat Chrysler down in February

U.S. auto sales were expected to cool off slightly in February, according to most analysts. Edmunds.com forecasted a 1% decline, Kelley Blue Book projected a 3.3% decrease and TrueCar subsidiary ALG predicted a 1.4% decline. LMC Automotive projected a 0.6% increase.

Here's how the domestic automakers fared:

General Motors

Edmunds forecast: 5.7%

Kelley Blue Book forecast: -2.1%

ALG forecast: 1.2%

Actual results: 4.2%

The Detroit automaker said its average transaction prices hit an all-time high for February, rising to $34,900, as overall sales totaled 237,388 units. Retail sales, which are more profitable than fleet sales, rose 5%.

Chevrolet sales rose 3.4%, compared to a year earlier. GMC was up 17.2%. Buick and Cadillac fell 9.4% and 8.6%, respectively.

GM got a big boost from sales of crossovers and sport-utility vehicles, which are flourishing amid low gasoline prices. The automaker said three Chevrolet SUVs, the Equinox, Trax and Traverse, had their best-ever February results. However, sales of many car models fell.

Ford Motor

Edmunds forecast: -3.4%

Kelley Blue Book forecast: -5.6%.

ALG forecast: -4.2%

Actual results: -4%

Ford's February sales were dragged down by a protracted slump of its cars, while sales of its crossovers and SUVs continued to post gains.

Sales of Ford's cars fell 24%, while sales of its SUVs increased 5.8% and truck sales rose 5.8%.

The company's namesake brand recorded a 4.5% decrease, while the luxury Lincoln brand continued its hot streak with an 8.8% increase.

The F-series pickup lineup, the most popular vehicle in the U.S., increased 8.7% to 65,956 units.

Fiat Chrysler

Edmunds forecast: -9.5%

Kelley Blue Book forecast: -7.6%

ALG forecast: -10.1%

Actual results: -10.1%

In February Fiat Chrysler continued its campaign of reducing its previously heavy reliance on fleet sales. The company said its fleet sales fell 26%, while retail sales declined 3%.

Overall the company sold 168,326 vehicles in the U.S. in February.

The Jeep brand declined 14.7% to 62,345, the Chrysler brand fell 28.1% to 16,730, the Dodge brand was down 6.6% to 43,878, and the Fiat brand declined 19.1% to 2,145.

The Ram van and truck brand was a bright spot, posting a 3.6% increase to 42,785 units. Sales of the Alfa brand, still new to the U.S. market, totaled 443 units for the month.

Contributing: Brent Snavely of the Detroit Free Press

Follow Paste BN reporter Nathan Bomey on Twitter @NathanBomey.