NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- September auto sales topped estimates, the highest figure since July 2005. Car sales came in at an annual rate of 18.17 million, topping forecasts of 17.6 million. The Labor Day holiday weekend was late this year and was counted in September, which gave auto sales a boost.

Fiat Chrysler (FCAU) - Get Report sales rose 13.6% from the same period a year ago, delivering 193,019 cars. General Motors (GM) - Get Report sales increased 12.5%, selling 251,310 vehicles for the month of September. Ford Motor (F) - Get Report sales saw the biggest growth, jumping 23.3% year over year, delivering 221,269. Nissan (NSANY)  posted an 18.3% increase to 121,782 cars. Toyota Motor (TM) - Get Report sales went up 16.2% to 194,398 units and Honda Motor (HMC) - Get Report  sales rose 13.1%, delivering 133,750 vehicles.

However, Volkswagen (VLKAY) was not as fortunately. Its sales rose only 0.6% from the same period the previous year, delivering 26,141 units for the month of September. The German automaker is grappling with the September scandal of 11 million diesel cars with software installed to cheat U.S. emissions tests. Following the news, Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn immediately resigned.

Other than Volkswagen, the majority of the auto makers reported a double-digit percentage growth. Overall, there was a strong demand for light trucks and new vehicles in the U.S. Car shoppers have been flocking towards the market, taking advantage of cheap gas, low interest rates and an improving economy.