Chrysler posts 11 percent October U.S. sales gain

DETROIT Chrysler says its October U.S. sales rose 11 percent from a year ago, a sign that the auto industry recovered from a slow September.

The company was led by the Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV and the Ram pickup. Grand Cherokee sales were up 20 percent, while Ram pickup sales rose 18 percent.

Chrysler says it sold about 140,000 cars and trucks last month, up from just over 126,000 a year ago.

Industry analysts are predicting an 8-to-13 percent sales gain for October. That follows a 4 percent drop in September because Labor Day weekend was counted in August figures this year.

Analysts say the 16-day government shutdown in early October kept buyers out of showrooms, but they returned in past two weeks.

All automakers report October sales on Friday.