Ford, GM, Chrysler Vehicle Sales Jump, but Shares Sag

Updated from 2:56 p.m. EST

Ford Motor(F Quote) posted an 8.2% rise in U.S. vehicle sales in December, while General Motors(GM Quote) reported a 36% jump. DaimlerChrysler's(DCX Quote) Chrysler Group recorded a more modest 1% rise.

Ford, based in Dearborn, Mich., said the number of new cars and trucks sold in the most recent month totaled 304,293, up from 281,158 sold in the same period a year earlier. Car sales rose 16.3% to 96,551, and truck sales climbed 4.9% to 207,742. Based on its sales performance, the company boosted its production plan, saying it would churn out 1.01 million vehicles in the first quarter of this year, an increase of 10,000 units from the previous forecast.

Ford's shares responded negatively to the news, however, losing 2.6% to $9.68. Ford's shares took a beating in 2002, falling 41%. ...