According to Automotive News:

DETROIT --

American Honda Motor Co. posted a 4.9 percent gain for the month, improving sales to 115,397 vehicles.

" Customers wanting to upsize their fuel efficiency without downsizing vehicle utility chose Fit, Pilot and CR-V in record numbers this month," Dick Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda, said in a prepared statement.

Honda Division's cars and light truck sales rose 1.9 percent to 102,313 units compared to last year. The Acura Division did not fair too well, falling 8.0 percent to 13,084 units from February 2007.

Nissan Motor Co. said sales increased 1.2 percent to 86,219 vehicles.

Nissan said the redesigned Murano crossover saw a record February, with sales of 10,074 units, in its first full month on sale. The new Rogue crossover continued to see solid sales, with 5,223 units sold.

Mazda Motor Corp. said it posted a 6.7 percent gain to 23,548 vehicles. Crossover sales, led by the CX-7 and CX-9, rose to 6,771 in the month, up 49.7 percent versus last February.

"The economic outlook remains in doubt, with increasing crude oil prices, continued consumer uncertainty and further concern in housing causing consumers to think twice before purchasing big-ticket items like a new car," Jim O'Sullivan, CEO of Mazda North America, said in a statement.

" Mazda sales continue to buck the trend across the industry, though, with our focus on selling the right cars and SUVs at the right price, and through the right dealers."

Also reporting was Volkswagen brand, with sales up 1.2 percent over the year-ago month. VW's gain came on higher sales of the Rabbit, Eos and Jetta.

Mercedes-Benz brand posted its best February ever, selling 18,564 -- a 7.3 percent gain over the same month last year.

Suzuki sales increased 2.5 percent.