Detroit carmakers top analysts' sales estimates in January

Detroit (DETROIT.84)(Reuters) - January car sales by the three Detroit automakers topped analysts' expectations, as low gas prices and easy credit terms helped fuel sales of utility vehicles and big pickups.

General Motors Co said on Tuesday that sales rose 18 percent to 202,786, while Ford Motor Co said sales were up 15 percent to 178,351. Analysts polled by Reuters had expected 201,436 and 173,431, respectively.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles' U.S. arm said January car sales rose 14 percent to 145,007 vehicles, against analysts' expectations of 144,476.

All three companies reported strong sales of pickups and utility vehicles in January.

"As the price of gasoline goes down, people want to buy bigger vehicles that go faster," said Mike Jackson, chief executive officer of dealer chain AutoNation Inc . "That's just human nature."

Ford sold a record 54,370 F-series pickups in January and said the redesigned 2015 F-150 remained in short supply, particularly high-end versions such as the King Ranch and Platinum editions.

GM said combined sales of its full-size Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups were up 22 percent to 48,727. Sales of the automaker's new mid-size Colorado and Canyon pickups totaled 8,147.

At FCA US , Jeep sales climbed 23 percent and Ram trucks were up 21 percent.

January sales at Japan's Nissan Motor Co <7201.T> jumped 15 percent to 104,107, beating estimates of 101,655. Nissan's performance was driven in part by strong results of its Rogue, Pathfinder and Murano utility vehicles.

Chrysler's U.S. industry sales in January were projected at an annual rate of 17.0 million, including about 300,000 medium and heavy trucks.

A Reuters survey of 47 analysts estimated an annual rate of 16.6 million.

(Additional reporting by Ben Klayman in Detroit; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe)

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