U.S. AUTO SALES

UPDATE: March 2012 Auto Sales by the Numbers

David Walker, LeaseTrader.com — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 15:39:24 GMT

March 2012 Auto Sales by the Numbers

Automaker	Mar. 2012	Mar. 2011	Pct. chng.	3 month 2012	3 month 2011	Pct. chng.

BMW division	23,940	20,295	18%	61,549	52,616	17%
Mini Cooper	5,866	6,087	–4%	14,180	12,341	15%
Rolls-Royce	32	30	7%	96	90	7%
BMW Group	29,838	26,412	13%	75,825	65,047	17%
Chrysler Division	34,726	20,463	70%	79,338	42,796	85%
Dodge	52,076	44,102	18%	126,222	101,977	24%
Dodge/Ram	79,819	67,612	18%	195,717	158,801	23%
Fiat	3,712	500	642%	8,850	500	1670%
Jeep	45,124	33,155	36%	114,146	84,853	35%
Ram	27,743	23,510	18%	69,495	56,824	22%
Chrysler Group	163,381	121,730	34%	398,051	286,950	39%
Maybach	4	3	33%	12	9	33%
Mercedes-Benz	24,509	22,546	9%	64,649	55,995	16%
Smart USA	999	425	135%	2,264	1,267	79%
Daimler AG	25,512	22,974	11%	66,925	57,281	17%
Ford division	214,081	203,794	5%	516,986	475,253	9%
Lincoln	8,803	8,501	4%	20,836	20,007	4%
Mercury	–	–	–%	–	248	–100%
Ford Motor Co.	222,884	212,295	5%	537,822	495,508	9%
Buick	13,105	15,663	–16%	37,336	44,739	–17%
Cadillac	10,537	12,164	–13%	30,966	40,513	–24%
Chevrolet	173,073	148,197	17%	448,134	416,505	8%
GMC	34,337	30,597	12%	91,884	90,789	1%
General Motors	231,052	206,621	12%	608,320	592,546	3%
Acura	11,166	12,611	–12%	30,805	31,368	–2%
Honda Division	115,833	121,039	–4%	289,360	276,610	5%
Honda (American)	126,999	133,650	–5%	320,165	307,978	4%
Hyundai division	69,728	61,873	13%	163,573	142,620	15%
Kia	57,505	44,178	30%	138,060	104,773	32%
Hyundai Group	127,233	106,051	20%	301,633	247,393	22%
Jaguar	1,321	874	51%	3,328	2,501	33%
Land Rover	4,199	3,441	22%	10,659	8,267	29%
Jaguar Land Rover	5,520	4,315	28%	13,987	10,768	30%
Maserati	257	200	29%	602	473	27%
Mazda	32,376	30,905	5%	82,023	64,559	27%
Mitsubishi	7,160	7,560	–5%	16,607	20,167	–18%
Infiniti	10,185	11,287	–10%	26,220	27,836	–6%
Nissan Division	126,132	109,854	15%	296,141	257,522	15%
Nissan	136,317	121,141	13%	322,361	285,358	13%
Porsche	2,460	2,588	–5%	7,159	7,007	2%
Saab Cars North America	–	830	–100%	–	2,069	–100%
Subaru	32,387	26,916	20%	80,568	67,457	19%
Suzuki	2,631	2,497	5%	6,561	6,702	–2%
Lexus	20,140	20,682	–3%	49,096	47,356	4%
Scion	6,694	5,540	21%	15,171	12,759	19%
Toyota division	176,448	150,000	18%	423,016	373,809	13%
Toyota/Scion	183,142	155,540	18%	438,187	386,568	13%
Toyota	203,282	176,222	15%	487,283	433,924	12%
Audi	11,585	9,818	18%	29,470	25,383	16%
Bentley	206	137	50%	450	320	41%
VW division	36,588	27,176	35%	94,373	67,039	41%
Volkswagen	48,379	37,131	30%	124,293	92,742	34%
Volvo Cars NA	6,693	6,369	5%	16,418	15,440	6%
Other (estimate)**	262	255	3%	786	765	3%
TOTAL	1,404,623	1,246,662	13%	3,467,389	3,060,124	13%

[SOURCE: Automotive News ]

2012 MARCH U.S. AUTO SALES

U.S. light-vehicle sales -- aided by Chrysler Group, Volkswagen Group, Hyundai-Kia and Toyota Motor Corp. -- rose 13 percent last month to 1.4 million units, with demand for smaller, fuel-efficient models, redesigned vehicles and pickups driving the gains.

Even with gasoline prices exceeding $4 a gallon in many parts of the country, the seasonally adjusted sales rate for March hit 14.4 million units. That was up from 13.06 million a year earlier but down from 15.1 million in February.

Overall demand increased 13 percent to 3.5 million units during the first quarter, offering more evidence that the industry’s steady recovery is on track despite mixed economic signals.

"The combination of credit availability, an improving economy, pent-up demand and even high fuel prices encouraging people to acquire newer, more fuel-efficient vehicles are all helping to drive industry sales," Reid Bigland, head of the Dodge brand and U.S. sales operations for Chrysler, said in a statement.

“There’s definitely a tailwind out there,” Bigland added.

Of the seven largest automakers, only Honda Motor Co. posted a drop in sales last month. The Japanese automaker said Honda division sales dipped 5 percent while Acura deliveries dropped 12 percent.

Chrysler Group’s U.S. sales rose 34 percent, its fifth straight month with an increase at least that high.

At Toyota Motor Corp., sales rose 15 percent to 203,282 units -- its biggest gain since February 2011 -- as the automaker continued to recover from the earthquake in Japan 12 months earlier.

Toyota Division volume climbed 18 percent, but Lexus posted a 3 percent decline. Sales of the Prius hybrid hit 28,711, edging out the Corolla compact.

At General Motors, sales climbed 12 percent, with advances at Chevrolet and GMC offsetting declines at Buick and Cadillac. Ford Motor Co. said demand was up 5 percent, and sales at Nissan North America jumped 13 percent to 136,317 units.

Volkswagen AG said the VW brand's U.S. sales advanced 35 percent in March -- the seventh consecutive month sales have climbed by that amount or more.

Subaru's U.S. car and light-truck volume rose 20 percent to 32,387 units. At Mazda, sales increased 5 percent last month and have advanced 27 percent to 82,023 year to date.

Hyundai Motor Co.’s Kia unit set a monthly sales record of 57,505 units, up 30 percent.

The rise in gasoline prices did not slow demand for some larger vehicles.

GM's full-sized pickup sales rose 14 percent.

Chrysler said deliveries at the Jeep brand surged 36 percent, and Ram pickup sales rose 18 percent despite gasoline prices that are climbing towards the record highs of 2008.

At the Chrysler brand, volume soared 70 percent. Sales of the Fiat 500 minicar line reached 3,712 units -- the year-old model's best showing to date.

GM said its car sales increased 22 percent, with small and compact car deliveries up a combined 62 percent.

GM said it tallied a record 100,000 light vehicles that achieve highway fuel economy of 30 mpg or more in March. Demand for the Chevy Volt plug-in hybrid hit 2,289 units last month.

The Hyundai brand set a monthly record of 69,728 sales in March and said combined sales of its models that achieve 40 mpg or more on the highway rose 68 percent last month.

At Ford, car sales rose 8 percent, truck demand increased 11 percent and deliveries of utility vehicles advanced 6 percent.

Sales of the compact Focus jumped 65 percent to 28,293, helping soften the blow from a 34 percent drop in Fiesta subcompact deliveries.

Higher inventory levels, new models and favorable lease deals are also helping to drive sales, analysts say.

AutoNation Inc. -- the nation's largest new-car dealership group -- raised its 2012 forecast for U.S. sales today from 14 million units to a range of about 14.4 million to 14.7 million.

The company said its retail new vehicle sales rose 15 percent in March to 25,489 units.

In addition, mild weather across much of the country and improving consumer sentiment -- fueled by rising stock prices and employment gains -- provided a lift to industry sales last month.

And the rise in gasoline prices is prompting some consumers to trade in gas guzzlers for more fuel-efficient cars and light-truck models, automakers say.

January 2012 Auto Sales by the Numbers

David Walker, LeaseTrader.com — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:04:09 GMT

January 2012 Auto Sales by the Numbers

2012 JANUARY U.S. AUTO SALES

Automaker	Jan. 2012	Jan. 2011	Pct. chng.	1 month 2012	1 month 2011	Pct. chng.

BMW division	16,405	15,905	3%	16,405	15,905	3%
Mini Cooper	3,334	2,751	21%	3,334	2,751	21%
Rolls-Royce	30	28	7%	30	28	7%
BMW Group	19,769	18,684	6%	19,769	18,684	6%
Chrysler Division	17,604	9,705	81%	17,604	9,705	81%
Dodge	31,454	24,314	29%	31,454	24,314	29%
Dodge/Ram	49,924	37,334	34%	49,924	37,334	34%
Fiat	1,911	–	–%	1,911	–	–%
Jeep	31,710	23,079	37%	31,710	23,079	37%
Ram	18,470	13,020	42%	18,470	13,020	42%
Chrysler Group	101,149	70,118	44%	101,149	70,118	44%
Maybach	4	5	–20%	4	5	–20%
Mercedes-Benz	21,230	17,273	23%	21,230	17,273	23%
Smart USA	496	358	39%	496	358	39%
Daimler AG	21,730	17,636	23%	21,730	17,636	23%
Ford division	131,173	121,175	8%	131,173	121,175	8%
Lincoln	5,121	5,558	–8%	5,121	5,558	–8%
Mercury	–	248	–100%	–	248	–100%
Ford Motor Co.	136,294	126,981	7%	136,294	126,981	7%
Buick	10,208	13,269	–23%	10,208	13,269	–23%
Cadillac	8,924	12,581	–29%	8,924	12,581	–29%
Chevrolet	123,864	125,389	–1%	123,864	125,389	–1%
GMC	24,966	27,658	–10%	24,966	27,658	–10%
General Motors	167,962	178,897	–6%	167,962	178,897	–6%
Acura	8,381	7,961	5%	8,381	7,961	5%
Honda Division	74,628	68,308	9%	74,628	68,308	9%
Honda (American)	83,009	76,269	9%	83,009	76,269	9%
Hyundai division	42,694	37,214	15%	42,694	37,214	15%
Kia	35,517	27,789	28%	35,517	27,789	28%
Hyundai Group	78,211	65,003	20%	78,211	65,003	20%
Jaguar	985	935	5%	985	935	5%
Land Rover	3,205	2,271	41%	3,205	2,271	41%
Jaguar Land Rover	4,190	3,206	31%	4,190	3,206	31%
Maserati	154	114	35%	154	114	35%
Mazda	23,996	14,267	68%	23,996	14,267	68%
Mitsubishi	4,711	5,714	–18%	4,711	5,714	–18%
Infiniti	6,796	7,405	–8%	6,796	7,405	–8%
Nissan Division	72,517	64,442	13%	72,517	64,442	13%
Nissan	79,313	71,847	10%	79,313	71,847	10%
Porsche	2,550	2,400	6%	2,550	2,400	6%
Saab Cars North America	–	658	–100%	–	658	–100%
Subaru	22,807	18,858	21%	22,807	18,858	21%
Suzuki	1,505	2,562	–41%	1,505	2,562	–41%
Lexus	12,274	12,860	–5%	12,274	12,860	–5%
Scion	3,535	3,275	8%	3,535	3,275	8%
Toyota division	108,731	99,721	9%	108,731	99,721	9%
Toyota/Scion	112,266	102,996	9%	112,266	102,996	9%
Toyota	124,540	115,856	8%	124,540	115,856	8%
Audi	9,354	7,812	20%	9,354	7,812	20%
Bentley	118	82	44%	118	82	44%
VW division	27,209	18,401	48%	27,209	18,401	48%
Volkswagen	36,681	26,295	40%	36,681	26,295	40%
Volvo Cars NA	4,461	4,276	4%	4,461	4,276	4%
Other (estimate)**	252	245	3%	252	245	3%
TOTAL	913,284	819,886	11%	913,284	819,886	11%

Chrysler, VW post sales gains of 44% or more

DETROIT -- Chrysler Group -- benefiting from stronger deliveries at the Jeep, Ram and Chrysler brands -- posted a 44 percent increase in January car and light truck sales. Ford Motor Co., Nissan Motor Co. and Volkswagen also posted sales gains last month, but General Motors said deliveries dropped 6 percent.

It was GM's first year-over-year monthly sales dip since May. GM's four brands all posted declines, with Chevrolet down 1 percent, GMC down 10 percent and Buick and Cadillac off 23 percent or more. A year ago, GM's sales were aided by generous discounts.

Chrysler's sales have now increased 22 consecutive months, including eight straight months where volume has advanced 20 percent or more. The automaker said it sold 101,149 cars and light trucks in January, up from 70,118 units a year ago.

Volkswagen AG said it sold 27,209 VW models in January, a 48 percent increase over a year ago.

Industry volume is expected to rise about 6 percent in January from a year ago. January is typically the weakest month of the year for new car and light truck sales, but analysts and automakers are looking for signs the industry's recovery remains on track after a strong finish to 2011.

"We started the new year with a bang," Reid Bigland, head of the Dodge brand and U.S. sales at Chrysler, said in a statement.

Jeep brand sales increased 37 percent in January, Chrysler said, with all five Jeep models posting double-digit sales gains. Ram pickup sales climbed 47 percent last month, while Dodge deliveries increased 29 percent.

Ford said its U.S. sales for the month increased 7 percent to 136,701 vehicles. Sales of the Ford Focus drove 30 percent of the increase, the automaker said in a statement.

Sales were up 8 percent at the Ford division, but declined 8 percent at Lincoln.

"January started off with solid sales versus year-ago levels," Ken Czubay, Ford's vice president of U.S. marketing, sales and service, said in a statement. "Ford saw the same solid month, with smaller vehicles in higher demand. Escape continued its record-setting run, and Focus set the pace for car sales in California, Texas and the Southeast."

Nissan Motor Corp. said its January sales rose 10.4 percent to 79,313 units. Nissan brand sales climbed 13 percent to 72,517, but Infiniti brand sales fell 8 percent to 6,796.

2012 outlook

The seasonally adjusted annual sales rate for January is expected to hit 13.4 million units, based on the average estimate of 14 analysts surveyed by Bloomberg. That compares to a SAAR of 12.71 million units a year ago and 13.57 million in December.

The SAAR has topped 13 million units each month beginning with September.

The gradual rebound in the U.S. economy, a more favorable credit environment, healthy light vehicle stockpiles and pent-up demand are expected to provide another lift to new car and truck demand this year.

"The strength that the economy and the auto industry showed in the fourth quarter carried into January, so we believe the year is off to a good start," Don Johnson, head of U.S. sales operations for GM, said in a statement.

U.S. car and light truck sales totaled 12.78 million units last year, up 10 percent from 2010. Sales for 2012 are forecast to hit 13.6 million, up 7 percent from last year, based on a survey of 11 analysts by Automotive News.

Some automakers see U.S. sales topping 14 million units this year as more consumers replace aging cars and light trucks.

"Retail light-vehicle sales in January are showing stability coming off the 2011 high note in December," John Humphrey, head of global automotive operations at J.D. Power and Associates, said in a statement last week.

"Vehicles are currently remaining on dealer lots for fewer than 50 days on average, which is the lowest level for January for the past several years," Humphrey said. "This is a good indication that pent-up demand is beginning to return to the market."

The average age of cars and trucks in the United States reached a record 10.8 years as of July 1, 2011, R.L. Polk & Co. reported last month. That's up from 10.6 years in 2010, and continues a trend that started in 1995, when the average age of a car was 8.4 years, according to Polk, which tracks state vehicle registrations.

Economic jitters, weak employment growth, high consumer debt, and stagnant household income have kept many people from making big-ticket purchases.

Dealers watch discounts

Mike Sullivan, a dealer in Santa Monica, Calif., said his 11 stores in the Los Angeles area had a solid year in 2011, despite inventory shortages, with profits "up again."

He's encouraged that some negative macroeconomic factors -- such as the Southern California housing market -- have stabilized.

"No one is talking like the sky is falling anymore," said Sullivan, who operates Volkswagen, Toyota, Audi, Scion, Lexus, Porsche, Subaru and Fisker franchises.

But he worries that manufacturers may over produce this year, adding pressure to boost rebates.

"Some automakers are planning for a big year, and I see some risk we may be getting ahead of ourselves," Sullivan said. "But it's not keeping me awake at night."

Autodata estimated average discounts dropped 10 percent per vehicle last month compared to $2,675 in December, when most automakers offered year-end and holiday deals.

UPDATE: December 2011 Auto Sales by the Numbers , 2011 YTD

David Walker, LeaseTrader.com — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 22:35:31 GMT

December 2011 Auto Sales by the Numbers , 2011 YTD

Automaker	Dec. 2011	Dec. 2010	Pct. chng.	12 month 2011	12 month 2010	Pct. chng.

BMW division	26,834	23,280	15%	247,907	220,113	13%
Mini Cooper	5,711	4,320	32%	57,511	45,644	26%
Rolls-Royce	30	43	–30%	348	512	–32%
BMW Group	32,575	27,643	18%	305,766	266,269	15%
Chrysler Division	23,974	13,132	83%	221,346	197,446	12%
Dodge	41,548	32,390	28%	451,040	383,675	18%
Dodge/Ram	68,143	56,660	20%	708,650	596,627	19%
Fiat	2,325	–	–%	19,769	–	–%
Jeep	43,577	30,910	41%	419,349	291,138	44%
Ram	26,595	24,270	10%	257,610	212,952	21%
Chrysler Group	138,019	100,702	37%	1,369,114	1,085,211	26%
Maybach	3	5	–40%	39	63	–38%
Mercedes-Benz	27,296	21,469	27%	261,769	224,944	16%
Smart USA	710	570	25%	5,208	5,927	–12%
Daimler AG	28,009	22,044	27%	267,016	230,934	16%
Ford division	201,044	173,738	16%	2,057,210	1,752,511	17%
Ford/Lincoln/Mercury	209,447	190,191	10%	2,143,101	1,931,534	11%
Lincoln	8,403	8,060	4%	85,643	85,828	0%
Mercury	–	8,393	–100%	248	93,195	100%
Volvo	–	–	–%	–	32,525	–100%
Ford Motor Co.	209,447	190,191	10%	2,143,101	1,964,059	9%
Buick	14,974	17,095	–12%	177,633	155,389	14%
Cadillac	16,259	16,718	–3%	152,389	146,925	4%
Chevrolet	161,158	147,938	9%	1,775,802	1,563,881	14%
GMC	41,960	42,143	0%	397,973	333,204	19%
Hummer	–	38	–100%	–	3,812	–100%
Pontiac	–	130	–100%	–	1,182	–100%
Saab	–	–	–%	–	608	–100%
Saturn	–	85	–100%	–	6,698	–100%
General Motors	234,351	224,147	5%	2,503,797	2,211,699	13%
Acura	13,129	15,489	–15%	123,299	133,606	–8%
Honda Division	92,101	114,127	–19%	1,023,986	1,096,874	–7%
Honda (American)	105,230	129,616	–19%	1,147,285	1,230,480	–7%
Hyundai division	50,765	44,802	13%	645,691	538,228	20%
Kia	43,390	30,444	43%	485,492	356,268	36%
Hyundai Group	94,155	75,246	25%	1,131,183	894,496	27%
Jaguar	1,137	1,180	–4%	12,276	13,340	–8%
Land Rover	4,743	3,695	28%	38,099	31,864	20%
Jaguar Land Rover	5,880	4,875	21%	50,375	45,204	11%
Maserati	238	180	32%	2,321	1,897	22%
Mazda	22,353	21,479	4%	250,426	229,566	9%
Mitsubishi	5,032	4,874	3%	79,020	55,683	42%
Infiniti	10,990	12,502	–12%	98,461	103,411	–5%
Nissan Division	89,937	81,228	11%	944,073	805,159	17%
Nissan	100,927	93,730	8%	1,042,534	908,570	15%
Porsche	1,834	2,567	–29%	29,023	25,320	15%
Saab Cars North America	270	1,074	–75%	5,610	4,838	16%
Subaru	33,701	26,694	26%	266,989	263,820	1%
Suzuki	2,565	2,647	–3%	26,618	23,994	11%
Lexus	25,355	27,560	–8%	198,552	229,329	–13%
Scion	4,159	3,956	5%	49,271	45,678	8%
Toyota division	148,617	145,972	2%	1,396,837	1,488,588	–6%
Toyota/Scion	152,776	149,928	2%	1,446,108	1,534,266	–6%
Toyota	178,131	177,488	0%	1,644,660	1,763,595	–7%
Audi	12,655	10,546	20%	117,561	101,629	16%
Bentley	317	197	61%	1,877	1,430	31%
VW division	32,502	23,867	36%	324,402	256,830	26%
Volkswagen	45,474	34,610	31%	443,840	359,889	23%
Volvo Cars NA	5,342	4,756	12%	67,240	21,423	214%
Other (estimate)	251	243	3%	2,967	2,897	2%
TOTAL	1,243,784	1,144,806	9%	12,778,885	11,589,844	10%

Numbers in this table are calculated by Automotive News based on actual monthly sales reported by the manufacturers and may differ from numbers reported elsewhere.
Source: Automotive News Data Center
Note: Other includes estimates for Aston Martin, Ferrari, Lamborghini and Lotus
*Includes Mini Cooper and Rolls-Royce
**Includes Maybach, Mercedes-Benz and Smart
***Fiat S.p.A. became the majority shareholder of the Chrylser Group on July 21, 2011
****Includes Volvo through July 2010
*****Includes Saab through February 2010
†Includes Acura
††Includes Kia
†††Estimate
††††Includes Infiniti
‡The sale of Saab was final on February 23, 2010
‡‡Includes Lexus and Scion
‡‡‡Includes Audi and Bentley
‡‡‡‡The sale of Volvo to Zhejiang Geely Holding Group was final on August 2, 2010

Industry sales rise to 12.78M for year as Dec. SAAR hits 13.56M

DETROIT -- Kia, Chrysler and Volkswagen posted some of the strongest sales gains for December as the industry closed out 2011 on a high note.

Automotive News estimates December volume was up 9 percent to 1.24 million units from a year earlier -- in line with analysts' forecasts. Total industry sales were projected at 12.78 million for the year, up from 2010's total of 11.6 million and the 27-year low of 10.4 million in 2009.

Autodata Corp. estimated December's seasonally adjusted annual sales rate at 13.56 million -- the year's second highest mark behind November's 13.63 million.

"The year finished on a high note, with industry sales momentum strengthening as the year came to a close," Ken Czubay, head of U.S. marketing, sales and service for Ford Motor Co., said in a statement.

Among major automakers, Chrysler, GM, Nissan, and Hyundai-Kia gained market share last year, while Ford, Toyota and Honda lost ground, Automotive News estimates.

Luxury battle

The industry totals were projected because BMW Group still hadn't reported December results as of 9:30 a.m. ET Thursday. BMW and Mercedes were battling to become the best-selling luxury marque in the United States.

Mercedes said today that its December sales rose 28 percent to 25,701, for an annual total of 245,192. BMW had total U.S. sales estimated at 248,073 by Autodata. The results exclude Mercedes Sprinter vans and Smart cars as well as BMW's Mini Cooper brand, which aren't luxury vehicles.

Mercedes' U.S. deliveries rose 13 percent for the year, aided by a refreshed C-class sedan and redesigned M-class SUV.

The BMW brand led Mercedes by fewer than 1,600 sales through November. BMW sales had risen 12 percent to 221,073 after 11 months, compared with sales of 219,491 at Mercedes, excluding the Sprinter van.

Toyota Motor Corp.'s Lexus division had held the luxury sales crown since 2000 but has been hobbled by inventory shortages stemming from the March earthquake in Japan.

Chrysler Group's 37 percent jump for December capped a year that included 12 straight monthly increases, for an overall gain of 26 percent. Volkswagen Group was up 31 percent, its fourth straight month with gains of 29 percent or more following the opening of its U.S. assembly plant. Kia's 43 percent gain marked the fifth time this year that its monthly increases topped 40 percent.

Ford reported a 10 percent advance for the month and a 9 percent gain for the year.

General Motors Co. said its December sales climbed 5 percent to finish the year up 13 percent. Earlier in the day, GM and Chrysler said they expected the seasonally adjusted annual sales rate to hit 13.9 million to 14 million units for the month -- forecasts that turned out to be optimistic.

Toyota slips

Toyota Motor Corp.'s sales were flat compared with a year earlier, with the Toyota Division up 2 percent and Lexus down 8 percent. For the year, Toyota's U.S sales dropped 7 percent to 1.64 million units, as the company battles back from the March earthquake in Japan.

Quake-related inventory shortages also continued to undermine Honda Motor Co.'s U.S. sales, which dropped 19 percent last month. It was the eighth straight monthly decline for the Japanese automaker. Combined Honda and Acura sales fell 7 percent in 2011.

Nissan Motor Co. said its Nissan and Infiniti sales rose 8 percent last month for its best December on record. The Nissan brand sold a record 944,073 cars and light trucks last year.

Hyundai posted December sales of 50,765, up 13 percent from a year ago. Record annual sales of the Sonata sedan and compact Elantra helped Hyundai set a yearly U.S. sales record of 645,691, up 20 percent from 2010.

Volkswagen brand sales increased 36 percent for the month and 26 percent for the year. The results reflect strong demand for the new Passat and Jetta sedans, VW said.

Chrysler has been aided by a revamped car and light truck lineup, generous discounts and healthy demand for traditional SUVs such as the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Wrangler and Dodge Durango.

SAAR tops 13M again

December marked the fourth consecutive month the SAAR topped 13 million units and provides more assurance that the industry's recovery is back on track after several bumps earlier in the year.

"Over the course of the fourth quarter of 2011, clear signs emerged that U.S. consumers are more confident and that other underpinnings of our economy are either stable or slowly improving," Don Johnson, head of U.S. sales operations for GM, said in a statement. "When we add improving economic fundamentals to pent-up demand and an aging vehicle fleet, it's now clear that auto sales should continue to grow in 2012, barring a shock to the system."

In 2012, U.S. sales are forecast to climb as high as 13.8 million, but well below the peak of 17.4 million in 2000.

Automakers used holiday promotions and heavy advertising to lure shoppers last month.

"Holiday timing -- both Christmas and New Year's Day hit on the weekend this year -- should benefit the sales rate," Wells Fargo analyst Richard M. Kwas said in a report last week. "Approximately half of December's unit sales will occur between Christmas and the New Year's holiday."

TrueCar.com, an online shopping site, estimates automakers spent an average of $2,562 on discounts and incentives per vehicle last month, down 3 percent from November and from December 2010.

Analysts say industry sales also benefited from higher inventory levels at Japanese automakers hampered for most of the late spring and summer by the March earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

"The Detroit 3 manufacturers held the key inventory advantage that made for strong light vehicle sales in December," said Paul Taylor, chief economist for the National Automobile Dealers Association. "Higher incentives from manufacturers struggling to regain market share will drive stronger light vehicle sales as 2012 unfolds."

Taylor said Detroit automakers had nearly 50 percent of the inventory available for sale during December.

"The inventory advantage for North American manufacturers will provide sales momentum during the first quarter of 2012, as producers in Asia and Europe turn increasingly to sales in the growing U.S. light vehicle market and rebuild their inventory levels in the U.S. market," he said.

2012 outlook

Ford said it expected the U.S. economy to expand 2 to 3 percent in 2012 and industry sales to be in the range of 13.5 million to 14.5 million units.

But economists expect consumer spending to remain volatile in 2012.

Income growth is expected to remain flat and job growth will be modest. More than 40 percent of the new jobs created over the last two years have been in low-paying fields such as retail, travel and hospitality.

The housing market also remains a drag on consumers' minds.

Industry sales have also been fueled by easing credit terms and pent-up demand. The average car or light truck on the road today is almost 11-years old and many households have reached the point where they must replace an aging minivan or crossover.

Demand for small cars, pickups and traditional SUVs outpaced the overall industry last year, while the minivan, large car and luxury car markets lost ground in 2011.

November 2011 Auto Sales by the Numbers

David Walker, LeaseTrader.com — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 17:13:57 GMT

November 2011 Auto Sales by the Numbers

All manufacturers have reported
Automaker	Nov. 2011	Nov. 2010	Pct. chng.	11 month 2011	11 month 2010	Pct. chng.

BMW division	21,521	20,097	7%	221,073	196,833	12%
Mini Cooper	4,750	2,786	71%	51,800	41,324	25%
Rolls-Royce	30	43	–30%	318	469	–32%
BMW Group*	26,301	22,926	15%	273,191	238,626	15%
Chrysler Division	18,577	9,664	92%	197,372	184,314	7%
Dodge	30,317	21,246	43%	409,492	351,285	17%
Dodge/Ram	50,731	40,286	26%	640,507	539,967	19%
Fiat	1,618	–	–%	17,444	–	–%
Jeep	36,246	24,202	50%	375,772	260,228	44%
Ram	20,414	19,040	7%	231,015	188,682	22%
Chrysler Group***	107,172	74,152	45%	1,231,095	984,509	25%
Maybach	4	5	–20%	48	58	–17%
Mercedes-Benz	27,841	19,037	46%	234,473	203,475	15%
Smart USA	414	211	96%	4,498	5,357	–16%
Daimler AG**	28,259	19,253	47%	239,019	208,890	14%
Ford division	160,136	133,162	20%	1,856,166	1,578,773	18%
Ford/Lincoln/Mercury	166,441	146,956	13%	1,933,654	1,741,343	11%
Lincoln	6,305	–7,648	–18%	77,240	77,768	–1%
Mercury	–	6,146	–100%	248	84,802	–100%
Volvo	–	–	–%	–	32,525	–100%
Ford Motor Co.****	166,441	146,956	13%	1,933,654	1,773,868	9%
Buick	10,880	11,725	–7%	162,659	138,294	18%
Cadillac	11,145	11,801	–6%	136,130	130,207	5%
Chevrolet	128,907	117,550	10%	1,614,644	1,415,943	14%
GMC	29,470	27,559	7%	356,013	291,061	22%
Hummer	–	25	–100%	–	3,774	–100%
Pontiac	–	7	–100%	–	1,052	–100%
Saab	–	–	–%	–	608	–100%
Saturn	–	3	–100%	–	6,613	–100%
General Motors*****	180,402	168,670	7%	2,269,446	1,987,552	14%
Acura	9,909	10,718	–8%	110,170	118,117	–7%
Honda Division	74,016	78,899	–6%	931,885	982,747	–5%
Honda (American)†	83,925	89,617	–6%	1,042,055	1,100,864	–5%
Hyundai division	49,610	40,723	22%	594,926	493,426	21%
Kia	37,007	26,601	39%	442,102	325,824	36%
Hyundai Group††	86,617	67,324	29%	1,037,028	819,250	27%
Jaguar	915	1,117	–18%	11,139	12,160	–8%
Land Rover	3,820	2,922	31%	33,356	28,169	18%
Jaguar Land Rover†††	4,735	4,039	17%	44,495	40,329	10%
Maserati	191	166	15%	2,083	1,717	21%
Mazda	18,432	15,304	20%	228,073	208,087	10%
Mitsubishi	3,735	4,306	–13%	73,988	50,809	46%
Infiniti	8,428	8,182	3%	87,471	90,909	–4%
Nissan Division	76,754	63,184	22%	854,136	723,931	18%
Nissan††††	85,182	71,366	19%	941,607	814,840	16%
Porsche	2,255	2,416	–7%	27,189	22,753	20%
Saab Cars North America‡	356	397	–10%	5,340	3,764	42%
Subaru	17,657	20,792	–15%	233,288	237,126	–2%
Suzuki	1,822	2,332	–22%	24,053	21,347	13%
Lexus	19,458	18,240	7%	173,197	201,769	–14%
Scion	3,553	3,834	–7%	45,112	41,722	8%
Toyota division	114,949	107,243	7%	1,248,220	1,342,616	–7%
Toyota/Scion	118,502	111,077	7%	1,293,332	1,384,338	–7%
Toyota‡‡	137,960	129,317	7%	1,466,529	1,586,107	–8%
Audi	9,700	9,365	4%	104,906	91,083	15%
Bentley	138	159	–13%	1,560	1,233	27%
VW division	28,412	20,189	41%	291,899	232,963	25%
Volkswagen‡‡‡	38,250	29,713	29%	398,365	325,279	23%
Volvo Cars NA‡‡‡‡	4,844	4,078	19%	61,898	16,667	271%
Other (estimate)	250	243	3%	2,716	2,654	2%
TOTAL	994,786	873,367	14%	11,535,112	10,445,038	10%

Chrysler Group and General Motors reported higher November sales today

DETROIT -- Chrysler Group and General Motors reported higher November sales today, with Detroit's smallest automaker posting its biggest year-over-year monthly gain -- 45 percent -- of the year.

Chrysler benefited from another strong month at Jeep, Chrysler and Dodge, with each brand posting a sales increase of 43 percent or more over November 2010, the automaker said. Sales at the Chrysler brand nearly doubled to 18,577 units.

It was the 20th consecutive month that Chrysler's sales increased year-over-year and the sixth straight month sales rose 20 percent or more.

GM said its sales rose 7 percent last month, helped by strong demand for big pickups and smaller cars such as the Chevrolet Sonic and Cruze.

"We are seeing a broad spectrum of customers return to the market," said Don Johnson, head of GM's U.S. sales operations. GM said sales advanced at Chevrolet and GMC, but dropped at Buick and Cadillac.

Nissan Motor Co. said its sales rose 19 percent last month, helped by a 22 percent increase at the Nissan division. Volkswagen AG said strong demand for the new Passat and Jetta sedans helped the VW brand post a 40 percent increase in sales last month.

Analysts expect the seasonally adjusted sales rate to hit 13.4 million to 13.5 million units for the month, up from 13.26 million units in October.

That would be the highest rate of the year. The SAAR peaked this year at 13.29 million units in February, and slumped to a low of 11.54 million in June.

GM said today it expected the November SAAR to reach 13.7 million units.

U.S. auto sales have advanced 10 percent this year through October and are forecast to hit 12.8 million units for the year.

Several automakers – notably Toyota and Lexus -- launched year end sales promotions earlier.

The average incentive per new car or light truck is estimated to hit $2,534 in November, an increase of 2.5 percent from October 2011 but down 0.5 percent from November 2010, according to TrueCar.com, an online shopping site.

"Every major automaker increased incentives this month compared to last month as they are looking to push auto sales and finish the year strong," said Kristen Andersson, an analyst at TrueCar.com.

Higher transaction prices

TrueCar estimated today that the average transaction price for a new car or light vehicle sold in the U.S. market was $30,317 last month, an increase of $1,163 -- or 4 percent -- from November 2010 and up $164 -- or 0.5 percent -- from October 2011.

"Transaction prices have been creeping back up after a slight decline in August with average new vehicle prices over $30K," TrueCar analyst Jesse Toprak said in a statement. "We are going to see automakers really push incentives in December to finish the year off strong."

Consumer confidence has rebounded to its highest level since July and Americans appear to be in a mood to spend based on Thanksgiving holiday shopping levels.

Auto sales have also been aided by more a favorable lending environment and the nation's aging light vehicle fleet. The average car or light truck on the road today is nearly 11 years old and many consumers have reached the point where they need to replace their vehicle, analysts say.

However, the weak housing market and high unemployment continue to be a drag on the broader U.S. economy.

Small cars, entry-level crossovers, full-sized vans and traditional SUVs continued to sell well last month. GM said Chevy Silverado pickup sales rose 28 percent last month. At Nissan, demand for the Versa subcompact climbed 38 percent and Sentra compact sales rose 35 percent.

Analysts expect U.S. light vehicle sales to continue rebounding in the coming months as Japanese automakers rebuild stockpiles following the March earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

"For the remainder of the year, inventory restoration is the key to stronger light vehicle sales," said Paul Taylor, chief economist for the National Automobile Dealers Association.

Subaru, also hurt by short supplies, said its November sales dropped 15 percent and are down 2 percent for the year, threatening its string of annual sales gains in the United States.

On Friday, the Japanese automaker also suspended sales of 2012 Impreza, Legacy and Outback models following customer complaints about increased brake pedal travel.

Japanese stockpiles

Japanese automakers started November with 622,600 units in stock, up from 575,600 units in early October and 527,800 units on Sept. 1, according to the Automotive News data center.

"We've had the interest, but haven't had the inventory," said Bill Piercey, a Honda and Toyota dealer based in Westminster, Calif. "Attitudes are changing and the market feels better."

Honda Motor Co. and Toyota Motor Corp., stymied by a shortage of cars and light truck models, are the only major automakers to post sales declines and market share losses in the U.S. market this year.

Tetsuo Iwamura, head of Honda's North American operations, told The Wall Street Journal this week the automaker will regain sales momentum early next year.

"November will still be a down month (for U.S. sales), but we expect to quickly recover our momentum from January," Iwamura told the newspaper.

He said if U.S. sales remain stable next year at 13.4 million to 13.5 million units, Honda's market share could rebound to 11 percent, up from below 10 percent this year, he said.

Read more: http://www.autonews.com/article/20111201/RETAIL01/111209994 <meta name=#ixzz1fIt4PdoS

October 2011 Auto Sales by the Numbers

David Walker, LeaseTrader.com — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:09:44 GMT

October 2011 Auto Sales by the Numbers

All manufacturers have reported

Automaker	Oct. 2011	Oct. 2010	Pct. chng.	10 month	10 month	Pct. chng.
2011	2010
BMW division	21,873	19,272	14%	199,552	176,736	13%
Mini Cooper	5,415	3,950	37%	47,050	38,538	22%
Rolls-Royce	30	43	–30%	288	426	–32%
BMW Group*	27,318	23,265	17%	246,890	215,700	15%
Chrysler Division	21,244	16,547	28%	178,795	174,650	2%
Dodge	33,734	27,020	25%	379,175	330,039	15%
Dodge/Ram	55,570	45,110	23%	589,776	499,681	18%
Fiat	1,965	–	–%	15,826	–	–%
Jeep	35,733	28,480	26%	339,526	236,026	44%
Ram	21,836	18,090	21%	210,601	169,642	24%
Chrysler Group***	114,512	90,137	27%	1,123,923	910,357	24%
Maybach	4	5	–20%	44	53	–17%
Mercedes-Benz	24,122	19,076	27%	206,632	184,438	12%
Smart USA	327	367	–11%	4,084	5,146	–21%
Daimler AG**	24,453	19,448	26%	210,760	189,637	11%
Ford division	161,408	143,339	13%	1,696,030	1,445,611	17%
Ford/Lincoln/Mercury	167,502	157,650	6%	1,767,213	1,594,387	11%
Lincoln	6,094	6,834	–11%	70,935	70,120	1%
Mercury	–	7,477	100%	248	78,656	–100%
Volvo	–	–	–%	–	32,525	–100%
Ford Motor Co.****	167,502	157,650	6%	1,767,213	1,626,912	9%
Buick	11,687	12,569	–7%	151,779	126,569	20%
Cadillac	11,795	13,393	–12%	124,985	118,406	6%
Chevrolet	131,804	124,214	6%	1,485,737	1,298,393	14%
GMC	31,609	33,000	–4%	326,543	263,502	24%
Hummer	–	242	–100%	–	3,749	–100%
Pontiac	–	83	–100%	–	1,045	–100%
Saab	–	–	–%	–	608	–100%
Saturn	–	42	–100%	–	6,610	–100%
General Motors*****	186,895	183,543	2%	2,089,044	1,818,882	15%
Acura	11,115	11,011	1%	100,261	107,399	–7%
Honda Division	87,218	87,800	–1%	857,869	903,848	–5%
Honda (American)†	98,333	98,811	–1%	958,130	1,011,247	–5%
Hyundai division	52,402	42,656	23%	545,316	452,703	21%
Kia	37,690	31,199	21%	405,095	299,223	35%
Hyundai Group††	90,092	73,855	22%	950,411	751,926	26%
Jaguar	1,327	1,295	3%	10,642	11,043	–4%
Land Rover	3,273	2,958	11%	28,923	25,247	15%
Jaguar Land Rover†††	4,600	4,253	8%	39,565	36,290	9%
Maserati	187	196	–5%	1,892	1,551	22%
Mazda	18,326	18,013	2%	209,641	192,783	9%
Mitsubishi	4,378	5,111	–14%	70,253	46,503	51%
Infiniti	6,862	7,930	–14%	79,043	82,727	–5%
Nissan Division	75,484	61,843	22%	777,382	660,747	18%
Nissan††††	82,346	69,773	18%	856,425	743,474	15%
Porsche	2,270	2,647	–14%	24,934	20,337	23%
Saab Cars North America‡	337	741	–55%	4,984	3,367	48%
Subaru	20,081	22,720	–12%	215,631	216,334	0%
Suzuki	1,947	2,043	–5%	22,231	19,015	17%
Lexus	18,092	21,091	–14%	153,739	183,529	–16%
Scion	3,952	4,654	–15%	41,559	37,888	10%
Toyota division	112,002	119,729	–7%	1,133,271	1,235,373	–8%
Toyota/Scion	115,954	124,383	–7%	1,174,830	1,273,261	–8%
Toyota‡‡	134,046	145,474	–8%	1,328,569	1,456,790	–9%
Audi	10,225	8,128	26%	95,206	81,718	17%
Bentley	162	120	35%	1,422	1,074	32%
VW division	28,028	20,084	40%	263,487	212,774	24%
Volkswagen‡‡‡	38,415	28,332	36%	360,115	295,566	22%
Volvo Cars NA‡‡‡‡	4,899	3,996	23%	57,054	12,589	353%
Other (estimate)	248	242	3%	2,466	2,411	2%
TOTAL	1,021,185	950,250	8%	10,540,131	9,571,671	10%

Chrysler sales up 27%; GM posts small gain

DETROIT -- General Motors and Chrysler Group reported higher October sales today, with Chrysler posting its fifth consecutive gain of 20 percent or more.

Chrysler said its U.S. sales increased 27 percent last month, with retail volume climbing 40 percent. It was the 19th consecutive monthly increase in U.S. sales for Chrysler.

GM said its October sales rose 2 percent, helped by a 10 percent increase in Chevrolet and continued strong demand for large pickups and fuel-efficient models.cq

Chevrolet was the only GM brand to post an increase last month; GMC, Buick and Cadillac were down.

GM said car sales increased 4 percent, crossover sales fell 1 percent and demand for trucks, vans and SUVs advanced 2 percent.

It was the fifth straight monthly sales gain for GM.

TrueCar.com estimates GM's incentives averaged $3,182 per model last month, up 2.7 percent from October 2010 but down 3.3 percent from September.

GM's current large pickup lineup is among the oldest in the segment and the automaker has been offering rebates as high as $5,000 on the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra in recent months.

Chrysler said it was helped by strong demand for the Chrysler 200 and 300 sedans, the Jeep Compass and Dodge Journey crossovers, the Jeep Liberty SUV, and the Ram pickup truck.

Volkswagen AG said sales at the VW brand jumped 40 percent last month to 28,028 units. VW said the results marked its best October since 2001. Sales of the new Passat sedan hit 5,040 units – the best month for the model since December 2005.

GM, Chrysler and VW are the first major automakers to report October sales.

Defying economy

Despite mixed economic signals and weak consumer confidence levels, analysts expected October U.S. auto sales to hit the highest rate in at least eight months.

Light vehicle sales are being aided by pent-up demand from consumers trading in aging vehicles, healthy discounts, wider credit availability, new product offerings and improved inventory among earthquake-hampered Japanese automakers.

TrueCar estimates industry incentives averaged $2,669 per vehicle in October, up slightly from September and almost 5 percent higher than October 2010.

"Consumers are no longer dragging their feet on new vehicle purchases as they feel the economy is moving in the right direction, " said Jesse Toprak, an analyst with TrueCar.

Japanese automakers -- hurt in late spring and all summer following the March earthquake in Japan -- started October with U.S. inventory of 575,000 units, according to the Automotive News Data Center. That is up 9 percent from 527,800 units at the start of September.

Severe flooding has interrupted auto parts and vehicle assembly in Thailand and is expected to further restrict U.S. supplies of Japanese-brand models in coming months.

On Monday, J.D. Power and Associates estimated October retail sales will post a double-digit increase over the same period a year ago, and remain significantly higher than the summer selling rate for the second month in a row.

J.D. Power expects the October retail seasonally adjusted annualized rate to come in at 10.5 million units, or on par with the rate in September.

The seasonally adjusted annualized rate for October is forecast to hit 13.2 million light vehicles, including fleet, up about 9 percent from a year ago, based on a Reuters survey of economists and analysts.

The sales rate hit a 2011 low of 11.54 million units in June.

"The relatively strong selling rate seen again in October suggests that the fourth quarter may close stronger than previously expected," Jeff Schuster, executive director of global forecasting at J.D. Power and Associates, said in a statement. "Recent bright spots in the economy may also help calm nerves and support stable vehicle sales, but risks remain and consumer confidence is still low, tempering the outlook for 2012."

Light-vehicle sales are up 10 percent to 9.5 million units through September.

U.S. light-vehicle sales the remainder of the year will benefit from both rising used-car prices and the increased need to replace aging vehicles, analysts say.

The average vehicle on U.S. roads is almost 11 years old, two years older today than the average in 2007, and at some point those models need to be replaced, spurring new car sales, analysts said.

"Pent-up demand is gradually being tapped," Wells Fargo analyst Richard Kwas said in a report late last month.

Used-car prices in September were also at their highest level in more than five years, helping to encourage trade-ins, according to a new report from J.P. Morgan in October.

August 2011 Auto Sales by the Numbers

David Walker, LeaseTrader.com — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 22:20:23 GMT

August 2011 Auto Sales by the Numbers

Automaker	Aug. 2011	Aug. 2010	Pct. chng.	8 month 2011	8 month 2010	Pct. chng.

BMW division	20,815	19,540	7%	155,929	139,236	12%
Mini Cooper	3,109	4,425	–30%	37,636	29,704	27%
Rolls-Royce	30	43	–30%	228	340	–33%
BMW Group*	23,954	24,008	0%	193,793	169,280	15%
Maybach	4	5	-20%	36	43	-16%
Mercedes-Benz	20,323	19,674	3%	159,082	144,696	10%
Smart USA	405	448	–10%	3,288	4,357	–25%
Daimler AG**	20,732	20,127	3%	162,406	149,096	9%
Chrysler Division	22,497	17,937	25%	133,992	140,755	–5%
Chrysler Group	127,013	99,611	28%	870,989	720,143	21%
Dodge	41,817	35,364	18%	305,368	266,747	15%
Dodge/Ram	63,903	55,968	14%	468,769	400,445	17%
Ferrari	137	129	6%	1,092	1,031	6%
Fiat	3,106	-	-%	11,088	-	-%
Jeep	40,613	25,706	58%	268,228	178,943	50%
Maserati	211	151	40%	1,507	1,219	24%
Ram	22,086	20,604	7%	163,401	133,698	22%
Fiat Group***	130,467	99,891	31%	884,676	722,393	23%
Ford division	166,794	143	16%	1,366,780	1,155,713	18%
Ford/Lincoln/Mercury	174,800	157,327	11%	1,424,851	1,276,362	12%
Lincoln	8,006	6,428	25%	57,823	55,776	4%
Mercury	–	7,040	–100%	248	64,873	–100%
Volvo	–	–	–%	–	32,525	–100%
Ford Motor Co.****	174,800	157,327	11%	1,424,851	1,308,887	9%
Buick	16,021	14,294	12%	126,493	101,125	25%
Cadillac	13,208	12,689	4%	100,449	92,393	9%
Chevrolet	152,779	131,909	16%	1,206,322	1,052,773	15%
GMC	36,471	25,958	41%	261,740	204,558	28%
Hummer	–	205	–100%	–	3,344	–100%
Pontiac	–	7	–100%	–	954	–100%
Saab	–	–	–%	–	608	–100%
Saturn	–	43	–100%	–	6,553	–100%
General Motors*****	218,479	185,105	18%	1,695,004	1,462,308	16%
Acura	9,054	11,534	–22%	79,136	85,668	–8%
Honda Division	73,267	97,195	–25%	691,129	729,407	–5%
Honda (American)†	82,321	108,729	–24%	770,265	815,075	–6%
Hyundai division	58,505	53,603	9%	440,863	363,491	21%
Kia	41,188	32,465	27%	331,763	237,953	39%
Hyundai Group††	99,693	86,068	16%	772,659	601,444	29%
Jaguar	810	1,414	–43%	8,204	8,781	–7%
Land Rover	2,807	2,544	10%	22,910	19,800	16%
Jaguar Land Rover	3,617	3,958	–9%	31,114	28,581	9%
Mazda	22,632	19,739	15%	165,794	156,190	6%
Mitsubishi	7,985	4,293	86%	60,072	36,431	65%
Infiniti	9,024	9,428	–4%	63,702	66,492	–4%
Nissan Division	82,517	67,399	22%	617,413	533,004	16%
Nissan†††	91,541	76,827	19%	681,115	599,496	14%
Porsche	2,184	2,032	8%	20,494	15,719	30%
Saab Cars North America‡	363	290	25%	4,218	1,499	181%
Subaru	20,837	22,239	–6%	174,616	172,182	1%
Suzuki	2,409	1,830	32%	18,258	15,331	19%
Lexus	18,103	19,465	–7%	120,652	145,490	–17%
Scion	3,649	4,012	–9%	33,769	29,672	14%
Toyota division	107,730	124,911	–14%	918,651	988,992	–7%
Toyota/Scion	111,379	128,923	–14%	952,420	1,018,664	–7%
Toyota‡‡	129,482	148,388	–13%	1,073,072	1,164,154	–8%
Audi	10,201	9,182	11%	75,256	65,439	15%
Bentley	124	81	53%	1,109	825	34%
Lamborghini	25	24	4%	190	192	–1%
VW division	25,232	22,855	10%	208,423	172,747	21%
Volkswagen‡‡‡	35,582	32,142	11%	284,978	239,203	19%
Volvo Cars NA‡‡‡‡	5,215	4,441	17%	47,113	4,441	961%
Other (estimate)	86	88	–2%	688	704	–2%
TOTAL	1,072,379	997,522	8%	8,465,186	7,662,414	11%

Numbers in this table are calculated by Automotive News based on actual monthly sales reported by the manufacturers and may differ from numbers reported elsewhere.
Source: Automotive News Data Center
Note: Other includes estimates for Aston Martin and Lotus
*Includes Mini Cooper and Rolls-Royce
**Includes Maybach, Mercedes-Benz and Smart
***Fiat became the majority shareholder of the Chrylser Group on July 21, 2011
****Includes Volvo through July 2010
*****Includes Saab through February 2010
†Includes Acura
††Includes Kia
†††Includes Infiniti
‡The sale of Saab was final on February 23, 2010
‡‡Includes Lexus and Scion
‡‡‡Includes Audi and Bentley
‡‡‡‡The sale of Volvo to Zhejiang Geely Holding Group was final on Aug. 2, 2010

[SOURCE: AUTOMOTIVE NEWS ]

Chrysler, Nissan, GM lead industry to 8% gain

DETROIT -- Chrysler Group, Nissan North America and General Motors led the industry to an 8 percent U.S. sales gain in August.

The seasonally adjusted sales rate slipped to 12.13 million from July’s 12.24 million as a stagnant economy, last week’s U.S. hurricane and lingering vehicle shortages from the March earthquake in Japan took a toll.

"There is still a lot of pent-up demand," said Don Johnson, GM’s vice president of U.S. sales operations. "Consumers are being cautious, but they are not out of the market. We think that will continue the rest of the year."

Chrysler Group, with a 28 percent rise, now has had increases of 20 percent or more in six of the year's first eight months. GM’s 18 percent gain marked its biggest jump since April. Ford Motor Co. rose 11 percent.

Honda, Toyota troubles

American Honda plunged 24 percent and Toyota Motor sales fell 13 percent, as the companies continued to deal with vehicle shortages. Subaru, which has also been crimped by tight supplies, posted a 6 percent decline, its fourth straight monthly drop.

Nissan North America, which avoided much of the earthquake damage that hit its Japanese rivals, rose 19 percent and said things would have been better had it not been for Irene. Hyundai/Kia rose 16 percent, thanks to a 27 percent jump at Kia.

Analysts had said August, like the past few months, would fall short of the sales pace set at the start of the year. They cited a decline in consumer confidence and dimming prospects for strong economic growth. Hurricane Irene paralyzed most of the Eastern seaboard last weekend, leaving floods and power outages in its wake.

"There's no doubt the storm affected August auto sales, but for GM, it was only about a thousand units and those can be recouped in September," GM’s Johnson said during a conference call today.

Nissan estimated that the storm had cost it about 3,300 sales for its mainstream and Infiniti brands because of the company's relatively heavy exposure to sales in the Northeast.

"The economic news never impacted me during the month. What did impact me was losing the last weekend on the Eastern Seaboard," said Al Castignetti, who heads Nissan brand sales in the United States.

Storm damage

Paul Taylor, chief economist at the National Automobile Dealers Association, estimated the storm and its aftermath trimmed sales by 10 percent in the 10 states hit hardest by Irene. That translates into a 3 percent reduction in overall U.S. demand, he said.

GMC led GM brands with a 41 percent jump over August 2010. Chevrolet rose 16 percent and Buick was up 12 percent. Cadillac was up 4 percent after three consecutive monthly declines.

GM said the Chevrolet Cruze topped 20,000 sales for the fifth straight month. The new entry was helped by lingering shortages of small cars at Toyota and Honda.

Jeep climbs

Chrysler continued to benefit from the performance of its Jeep brand, which was up 58 percent in August and is up 50 percent for the year. Chrysler ran a no-payments-for-90-days promotion for some buyers of 2011 and 2012 Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram models during the month.

Ford-brand sales rose 16 percent. Lincoln, up 25 percent, jumped for the third straight month following six straight months of decline.

The automaker also said today that it has scheduled a 9 percent rise in North American production for the fourth quarter from year-earlier levels. Output through July was up 12 percent.

Prior to today's reports, August sales were projected to run at a 12.1 million seasonally adjusted annual rate, according to the average estimate of 14 analysts surveyed by Bloomberg. The pace averaged above 13 million through April of this year and dropped below 12 million in May and June before rising to July’s 12.24 million.

July 2011 Auto Sales by the Numbers

David Walker, LeaseTrader.com — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 16:24:38 GMT

July 2011 Auto Sales by the Numbers

July 2011 Auto Sales by the Numbers All manufacturers have reported
Automaker	Jul-11	Jul-10	Pct. chng.	7 month	7 month	Pct. chng.
2011	2010
BMW division	21,409	19,064	12%	135,114	119,696	13%
Mini Cooper	4,711	4,326	9%	34,527	25,279	37%
Rolls-Royce	44	43	2%	308	297	4%
BMW Group*	26,164	23,433	12%	169,949	145,272	17%
Chrysler Division	15,427	14,692	5%	111,495	122,818	–9%
Dodge	33,653	30,916	9%	263,551	231,383	14%
Dodge/Ram	54,870	52,155	5%	404,866	344,477	18%
Fiat	3,038	–	–%	7,982	–	–%
Jeep	38,691	26,466	46%	227,615	153,237	49%
Ram	21,217	21,239	0%	141,315	113,094	25%
Chrysler Group LLC	112,026	93,313	20%	751,958	620,532	21%
Maybach	4	5	–20%	32	38	–16%
Mercedes-Benz	20,738	18,049	15%	138,759	125,022	11%
Smart USA	327	560	–42%	2,883	3,909	–26%
Daimler AG**	21,069	18,614	13%	141,674	128,969	10%
Ford division	172,501	153,400	13%	1,199,986	1,011,854	19%
Ford/Lincoln/Mercury	180,315	165,889	9%	1,250,051	1,119,035	12%
Lincoln	7,814	5,586	40%	49,817	49,348	1%
Mercury	–	6,903	–100%	248	57,833	–100%
Volvo	–	4,319	–100%	–	32,525	–100%
Ford Motor Co.***	180,315	170,208	6%	1,250,051	1,151,560	9%
Buick	16,873	16,799	0%	110,472	86,831	27%
Cadillac	11,119	14,919	–26%	87,241	79,704	10%
Chevrolet	149,005	139,858	7%	1,053,543	920,864	14%
GMC	37,918	27,766	37%	225,269	178,600	26%
Hummer	–	210	–100%	–	3,139	–100%
Pontiac	–	20	–100%	–	947	–100%
Saab	–	–	–%	–	608	–100%
Saturn	–	30	–100%	–	6,510	–100%
General Motors****	214,915	199,602	8%	1,476,525	1,277,203	16%
Acura	9,402	13,017	–28%	70,082	74,134	–6%
Honda Division	71,100	99,420	–29%	617,862	632,212	–2%
Honda (American)†	80,502	112,437	–28%	687,944	706,346	–3%
Hyundai division	–	–	–%	–	–	–%
Kia	45,504	35,419	29%	290,608	205,488	41%
Hyundai Group††	45,504	35,419	29%	290,608	205,488	41%
Jaguar	984	1,516	–35%	7,394	7,367	0%
Land Rover	2,811	2,292	23%	20,103	17,256	17%
Jaguar Land Rover	3,795	3,808	0%	27,497	24,623	12%
Maserati	199	156	28%	1,296	1,068	21%
Mazda	20,783	20,732	0%	143,162	136,451	5%
Mitsubishi	7,972	5,648	41%	52,087	32,138	62%
Infiniti	7,410	9,764	–24%	54,678	57,064	–4%
Nissan Division	77,191	72,573	6%	534,896	465,605	15%
Nissan†††	84,601	82,337	3%	589,574	522,669	13%
Porsche	2,768	2,703	2%	18,310	13,687	34%
Saab Cars North America‡	384	471	–19%	3,855	1,209	219%
Subaru	21,730	23,983	–9%	153,779	149,943	3%
Suzuki	2,447	1,952	25%	15,849	13,501	17%
Lexus	14,539	18,595	–22%	102,549	126,025	–19%
Scion	3,499	4,653	–25%	30,120	25,660	17%
Toyota division	112,764	145,976	–23%	810,921	864,081	–6%
Toyota/Scion	116,263	150,629	–23%	841,041	889,741	–6%
Toyota‡‡	130,802	169,224	–23%	943,590	1,015,766	–7%
Audi	9,146	7,817	17%	65,055	56,257	16%
Bentley	142	56	154%	985	744	32%
VW division	29,066	23,880	22%	183,191	149,892	22%
Volkswagen‡‡‡	38,354	31,753	21%	249,231	206,893	21%
Volvo Cars North America‡‡‡‡	5,595	–	–%	41,898	–	–%
Other (estimate)	244	241	1%	1,708	1,686	1%
TOTAL	1,059,730	1,050,140	1%	7,392,903	6,664,892	11%

Numbers in this table are calculated by Automotive News based on actual monthly sales reported by the manufacturers and may differ from numbers reported elsewhere.
Source: Automotive News Data Center
Note: Other includes estimates for Aston Martin, Ferrari, Lamborghini and Lotus
*Includes Mini Cooper and Rolls-Royce
**Includes Maybach, Mercedes-Benz and Smart
***Includes Volvo through July 2010
****Includes Saab through February 2010
†Includes Acura
††Includes Kia
†††Includes Infiniti
‡The sale of Saab was final on February 23, 2010
‡‡Includes Lexus and Scion
‡‡‡Includes Audi and Bentley
‡‡‡‡The sale of Volvo to Zhejiang Geely Holding Group was final on Aug. 2, 2010

July sales, helped by demand for crossovers as well as smaller, fuel-efficient vehicles

DETROIT -- Automakers posted mostly higher July sales, helped by demand for crossovers as well as smaller, fuel-efficient vehicles, but sales continue to be hampered by economic jitters and tight supplies.

Overall, sales climbed 1 percent to 1.059 million units last month.

General Motors' sales rose 8 percent last month from a year ago, with passenger car demand rising 8 percent and crossover sales increasing 20 percent. At Ford, sales rose 6 percent, with car demand advancing 3 percent and light truck sales up 12 percent.

Chrysler's July sales advanced 20 percent – helped by several new models and a 46-percent increase in Jeep volume. Hyundai – one of the industry's fastest-growing brands, said July sales rose 10 percent – its smallest gain of the year.

The mostly modest results from automakers follow projections of another month of soft demand for the industry. The average seasonally adjusted sales rate forecast from analysts surveyed by Bloomberg was 11.9 million, the third straight month below 12 million.

While U.S. light vehicle sales rose 13 percent this year through June, demand has weakened in recent months because of supply shortages stemming from the March earthquake in Japan, a sharp drop in incentives, volatile fuel prices and the sluggish economy.

"There are people who put off vehicle purchases because of uncertainty about fuel prices, vehicle availability and the economy," said Don Johnson, head of U.S. sales for GM. "As these conditions improve in the latter half of this year, many of these buyers will return to the market."

Japanese automakers – still suffering from depressed inventories because of the March earthquake in Japan -- continued to lose ground. Toyota Motor Corp. said its July sales dropped 23 percent and Honda Motor Co. said demand slid 28 percent. Nissan Motor Co. said its sales rose 3 percent last month.

U.S. stockpiles of Japanese models stood at 568,800 units on July 1, down from 598,400 in early June and 730,200 on May 1, according to the Automotive News Data Center.

Sales of smaller, fuel-efficient vehicles remained strong, but low inventory hurt some automakers.

Honda said the redesigned Civic, which continues to be produced at reduced levels, posted sales of 14,006, down 37.4 percent.

While demand for the Fiesta subcompact and Fusion sedan rose, Ford said sales of the new Focus compact dropped 3 because of low inventories. Chrysler said sales of the Fiat 500 totaled 3,308 units last month, and Chevrolet sold more than 24,000 Cruze models – the fourth straight month sales of the compact have topped 20,000 units.

GM said the protracted debate in Washington over whether to raise the nation's debt ceiling also cast a cloud over sales last month.

President Obama today signed a bill raising the federal debt ceiling just hours before the U.S. Treasury said it could begin running out of money to pay the government's bills.

Gasoline prices – while stabilizing at around $3.70 a gallon nationwide – also continue to weigh on the minds of many motorists.

"The auto industry is having a difficult time shaking off adversity," said Jeff Schuster, executive director of global forecasting at J.D. Power and Associates.

While demand has softened, transaction prices are rising, offering a silver lining for some automakers.

TrueCar.com estimated today that the average transaction price for light vehicles rose $582 to $29,761 in July 2011 from a year ago. And average transaction prices rose $102 – or 0.3 percent – from June 2011.

"Despite continued weakness in the economy and the ongoing concern over the debt ceiling, consumers continued to purchase vehicles packed with options in July," said Jesse Toprak, an analyst with TrueCar.com. "Tightened inventories, lower dealer discounting and manufacturer incentives, along with a more expensive product mix resulted in the highest transaction prices we have recorded in the industry."

Demand for big pickups – a bright spot early in the recovery and a source of hefty profits – softened for some Detroit automakers. Ford said F-Series sales dipped 2.7 percent last month and Chrysler said Ram pickup sales inched up 1 percent.

Sales of GM's large pickups declined 3 percent from a year ago but inched up 2 percent from June, the automaker said.

"The increase in industry sales of full-size pickups is consistent with our forecast, as more truck buyers come back into the market," Johnson said. "We expect continued modest growth in the segment for the remainder of the year."

Automakers are still counting on slow but steady economic growth, pent-up demand, and improving stockpiles following the March earthquake in Japan to bolster demand in the second half.

Analysts expect total vehicle sales – including medium- and heavy-duty trucks - to total 12.5 million to 13.5 million for all of 2011. GM said today it expected sales to finish at the low end of its forecast – 13 million to 13.5 million.

But recent economics reports – lackluster job and economic growth in the second quarter and first-quarter growth that was revised down – have prompted some analysts to lower their outlook for the rest of the year.

New government data released today showed that personal spending fell 0.2 percent in June, the first time it has dropped since September 2009. Nominal personal income inched up by 0.1 percent in June and wage and salary income – a key to consumer spending -- was unchanged in June from 0.2 percent in May, its smallest rise this year.

"With auto sales already not running at a strong rate this summer, it could be a tough second half of the year for the auto industry," said Toprak.

[SOURCE: Automotive News ]

June 2011 Auto Sales by the Numbers

David Walker, LeaseTrader.com — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 17:26:11 GMT

July 2011 Auto Sales by the Numbers

All manufacturers have reported
Automaker	Jun-11	Jun-10	Pct. chng.	6 month 2011	6 month 2010	Pct. chng.

BMW division	21,637	19,182	13%	113,705	100,632	13%
Mini Cooper	5,228	4,149	26%	29,816	20,953	42%
Rolls-Royce	43	44	–2%	263	255	3%
BMW Group*	26,908	23,375	15%	143,784	121,840	18%
Chrysler Division	16,529	17,893	–8%	96,068	108,126	–11%
Dodge	43,401	36,996	17%	229,898	200,467	15%
Dodge/Ram	65,948	53,858	22%	349,996	292,322	20%
Fiat	1,803	–	–%	4,944	–	–%
Jeep	36,114	20,731	74%	188,924	126,771	49%
Ram	22,547	16,862	34%	120,098	91,855	31%
Chrysler Group LLC	120,394	92,482	30%	639,932	527,219	21%
Maybach	4	5	–20%	28	33	–15%
Mercedes-Benz	22,563	18,998	19%	118,021	106,973	10%
Smart USA	470	577	–19%	2,696	3,349	–20%
Daimler AG**	23,037	19,580	18%	120,745	110,355	9%
Ford division	186,054	155,127	20%	1,027,485	858,454	20%
Ford/Lincoln/Mercury	193,415	170,695	13%	1,069,736	953,146	12%
Lincoln	7,361	6,318	17%	42,003	43,762	–4%
Mercury	–	9,250	–100%	248	50,930	–100%
Volvo	–	4,995	–100%	–	28,206	–100%
Ford Motor Co.***	193,415	175,690	10%	1,069,736	981,352	9%
Buick	14,868	13,133	13%	93,599	70,032	34%
Cadillac	10,860	11,788	–8%	76,122	64,785	18%
Chevrolet	156,838	141,025	11%	904,538	781,006	16%
GMC	32,769	28,218	16%	187,351	150,834	24%
Hummer	–	303	–100%	–	2,929	–100%
Pontiac	–	112	–100%	–	927	–100%
Saab	–	–	–%	–	608	–100%
Saturn	–	137	–100%	–	6,480	–100%
General Motors****	215,335	194,716	11%	1,261,610	1,077,601	17%
Acura	8,708	10,839	–20%	60,680	61,117	–1%
Honda Division	75,184	95,788	–22%	546,762	532,792	3%
Honda (American)†	83,892	106,627	–21%	607,442	593,909	2%
Hyundai division	59,209	51,205	16%	322,797	255,782	26%
Kia	45,044	31,906	41%	245,104	170,069	44%
Hyundai Group††	104,253	83,111	25%	567,901	425,851	33%
Jaguar	1,389	1,618	–14%	6,410	5,851	10%
Land Rover	3,152	2,790	13%	17,292	14,964	16%
Jaguar Land Rover	4,541	4,408	3%	23,702	20,815	14%
Maserati	189	180	5%	1,097	912	20%
Mazda	19,307	18,238	6%	122,379	115,719	6%
Mitsubishi	8,299	4,198	98%	44,115	26,490	67%
Infiniti	6,281	8,304	–24%	47,268	47,300	0%
Nissan Division	65,659	56,266	17%	457,705	393,032	17%
Nissan†††	71,940	64,570	11%	504,973	440,332	15%
Porsche	2,546	2,141	19%	15,542	10,983	42%
Saab Cars North America‡	323	216	50%	3,471	738	370%
Subaru	19,794	21,601	–8%	132,049	125,960	5%
Suzuki	2,278	2,035	12%	13,402	11,549	16%
Lexus	10,773	17,332	–38%	88,010	107,430	–18%
Scion	3,456	3,745	–8%	26,621	21,007	27%
Toyota division	96,708	119,527	–19%	698,157	718,105	–3%
Toyota/Scion	100,164	123,272	–19%	724,778	739,112	–2%
Toyota‡‡	110,937	140,604	–21%	812,788	846,542	–4%
Audi	10,051	8,601	17%	55,909	48,440	15%
Bentley	178	116	53%	843	688	23%
VW division	28,444	21,051	35%	154,125	126,012	22%
Volkswagen‡‡‡	38,673	29,768	30%	210,877	175,140	20%
Volvo Cars North America‡‡‡‡	7,100	–	–%	36,304	–	–%
Other (estimate)	244	241	1%	1,464	1,445	1%
TOTAL	1,053,405	983,781	7%	6,333,313	5,614,752	13%

Numbers in this table are calculated by Automotive News based on actual monthly sales reported by the manufacturers and may differ from numbers reported elsewhere.
Source: Automotive News Data Center
Note: Other includes estimates for Aston Martin, Ferrari, Lamborghini and Lotus
*Includes Mini Cooper and Rolls-Royce
**Includes Maybach, Mercedes-Benz and Smart
***Includes Volvo through July 2010
****Includes Saab through February 2010
†Includes Acura
††Includes Kia
†††Includes Infiniti
‡The sale of Saab was final on February 23, 2010
‡‡Includes Lexus and Scion
‡‡‡Includes Audi and Bentley
‡‡‡‡The sale of Volvo to Zhejiang Geely Holding Group was final on Aug. 2, 2010

All Detroit Show Profit

Tight supplies are expected to hurt some automakers again in June. Japanese automakers – led by Toyota and Honda – were forecast to lose ground to U.S., Korean, and European companies.

Automakers began June with 2.18 million vehicles in stock, down from 2.3 million at the start of May. Japanese automakers, hardest hit by the earthquake, had 598,400 units in inventory at the beginning of June, down 18 percent from 730,300 cars and light trucks at the start of May.

Automakers have dialed back on incentives because of depleted inventory levels. The shift has resulted in higher new vehicle transaction prices, hitting an average of $30,009 last month,according to TrueCar.com, an online shopping site.

TrueCar estimates June incentives averaged $2,300 across the industry, down 0.2 percent from May and down 19.8 percent from June 2010.

Detroit automakers have dramatically scaled back on deals, TrueCar says, with the average Ford discount - $2,373 – at its lowest level since September 2002, and Chrysler discounts at their lowest level since February 2003.

"The upside to a lack of inventory on some vehicles is that incentives decreased and transaction prices soared to the highest levels ever recorded – meaning stronger profits for automakers," TrueCar analyst Jesse Toprak said in a statement. "The good news for consumers is as dealer inventory levels are replenished and supply levels return to normal, incentives will begin to increase, lowering transaction prices."

[SOURCE: Automotive News ]

May 2011 Auto Sales by the Numbers

David Walker, LeaseTrader.com — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 22:13:55 GMT

May 2011 Auto Sales by the Numbers

Automaker	May- 2011	May- 2010	Pct. chng.	5 month 2011	5 month 2010	Pct. chng.

BMW division	20,651	17,859	16%	92,068	81,450	13%
Mini Cooper	5,801	4,233	37%	24,588	16,804	46%
Rolls-Royce	44	43	2%	220	211	4%
BMW Group*	26,496	22,135	20%	116,876	98,465	19%
Chrysler Division	16,364	20,699	–21%	79,539	90,233	–12%
Dodge	40,200	42,242	–5%	186,497	163,471	14%
Dodge/Ram	61,667	61,172	1%	284,048	238,464	19%
Fiat	1,759	–	–%	3,141	–	–%
Jeep	35,573	22,948	55%	152,810	106,040	44%
Ram	21,467	18,960	13%	97,551	74,993	30%
Chrysler Group LLC	115,363	104,819	10%	519,538	434,737	20%
Maybach	4	5	–20%	24	28	–14%
Mercedes-Benz	20,306	19,177	6%	95,458	87,975	9%
Smart USA	492	695	–29%	2,226	2,772	–20%
Daimler AG**	20,802	19,877	5%	97,708	90,775	8%
Ford division	184,130	175,129	5%	841,431	703,327	20%
Ford/Lincoln/Mercury	191,529	192,012	0%	876,321	782,451	12%
Lincoln	7,399	7,755	–5%	34,642	37,444	–8%
Mercury	–	9,128	–100%	248	41,680	–99%
Volvo	–	4,659	–100%	–	23,211	–100%
Ford Motor Co.***	191,529	196,671	–3%	876,321	805,662	9%
Buick	15,579	12,582	24%	78,731	56,899	38%
Cadillac	11,623	12,328	–6%	65,262	52,997	23%
Chevrolet	161,401	167,023	–3%	747,700	639,981	17%
GMC	32,589	29,960	9%	154,582	122,616	26%
Hummer	–	1,290	–100%	–	2,626	–100%
Pontiac	–	181	–100%	–	815	–100%
Saab	–	–	–%	–	608	–100%
Saturn	–	46	–100%	–	6,343	–100%
General Motors****	221,192	223,410	–1%	1,046,275	882,885	19%
Acura	9,000	11,766	–24%	51,972	50,278	3%
Honda Division	81,773	105,407	–22%	471,578	437,004	8%
Honda (American)†	90,773	117,173	–23%	523,550	487,282	7%
Hyundai division	59,214	49,045	21%	263,588	204,577	29%
Kia	48,212	31,431	53%	200,060	138,163	45%
Hyundai Group††	107,426	80,476	34%	463,648	342,740	35%
Jaguar	1,271	962	32%	5,021	4,233	19%
Land Rover	2,891	2,709	7%	14,140	12,174	16%
Jaguar Land Rover	4,162	3,671	13%	19,161	16,407	17%
Maserati	206	152	36%	908	732	24%
Mazda	17,875	22,605	–21%	103,072	97,481	6%
Mitsubishi	7,568	4,737	60%	35,816	22,292	61%
Infiniti	6,389	8,091	–21%	40,986	38,996	5%
Nissan Division	69,759	75,673	–8%	392,046	336,766	16%
Nissan†††	76,148	83,764	–9%	433,032	375,762	15%
Porsche	2,817	1,873	50%	12,996	8,842	47%
Saab Cars North America‡	385	174	121%	3,150	520	506%
Subaru	20,036	23,667	–15%	112,255	104,359	8%
Suzuki	2,290	1,903	20%	11,124	9,514	17%
Lexus	12,305	22,216	–45%	77,237	90,098	–14%
Scion	4,696	4,112	14%	23,165	17,262	34%
Toyota division	91,386	136,485	–33%	601,449	598,578	1%
Toyota/Scion	96,082	140,597	–32%	624,614	615,840	1%
Toyota‡‡	108,387	162,813	–33%	701,851	705,938	–1%
Audi	10,457	9,205	14%	45,858	39,839	15%
Bentley	226	134	69%	665	572	16%
VW division	30,100	23,543	28%	125,681	104,961	20%
Volkswagen‡‡‡	40,783	32,882	24%	172,204	145,372	19%
Volvo Cars North America‡‡‡‡	7,359	–	–%	29,203	–	–%
Other (estimate)	244	241	1%	1,220	1,204	1%
TOTAL	1,061,841	1,103,043	–4%	5,279,908	4,630,969	14%

Numbers in this table are calculated by Automotive News based on actual monthly sales reported by the manufacturers and may differ from numbers reported elsewhere.
Source: Automotive News Data Center
Note: Other includes estimates for Aston Martin, Ferrari, Lamborghini and Lotus
*Includes Mini Cooper and Rolls-Royce
**Includes Maybach, Mercedes-Benz and Smart
***Includes Volvo through July 2010
****Includes Saab through February 2010
†Includes Acura
††Includes Kia
†††Includes Infiniti
‡The sale of Saab was final on February 23, 2010
‡‡Includes Lexus and Scion
‡‡‡Includes Audi and Bentley
‡‡‡‡The sale of Volvo to Zhejiang Geely Holding Group was final on Aug. 2, 2010

MAY 2011 SALES DOWN BY 4% DUE TO FUEL PRICES & INVENTORY

General Motors' sales dropped 1 percent in May as lower fleet sales and rising gasoline prices put a damper on consumer demand for new cars and light trucks .

Higher car sales failed to offset a sharp decline in light truck deliveries, the automaker said today. Sales of GM's large pickup trucks dropped 14 percent and crossover demand slipped 1 percent.

Demand for GM's big SUVs slumped for the second consecutive month, with May sales of the Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe, Cadillac Escalade and GMC Yukon XL off by 16 percent or more.

Average U.S. gasoline prices peaked at $3.97 a gallon in May before falling, but the quick run-up in pump prices was enough to scare some new shoppers.

"A number of consumers continue to wait to see where fuel prices are going to net out and stabilize over the long term before they make a purchase decision," said Don Johnson, GM's head of U.S. sales operations. "We expect that fuel prices will continue to be volatile."

GM said car sales climbed 13 percent on a 32 percent increase in retail deliveries as consumers shifted to smaller, more fuel-efficient models. Sales of the compact Chevrolet Cruze hit 22,711 last month, including 18,996 retail units.

U.S. light vehicle sales were up 20 percent through April but demand is expected to cool considerably in May because of tight inventories, fewer deals, and mixed economic signals. In addition to lower discounts, GM, Ford Motor Co. and Toyota Motor Corp. have raised new car and light truck prices in recent months to counter rising costs for raw materials.

May sales are forecast to come in at the lowest pace of the year and well below the 13.2 million annual rate in April.

Ford CEO Alan Mulally on Monday hinted that a slowing U.S. economy put a dent in the automaker’s May sales.

“It's a little less than what we hoped for at the beginning of the year," Mulally told reporters in Washington.

J.D. Power and Associates said May’s overall performance will pivot on the strength of Memorial Day weekend sales. Power said May sales were tracking at an annual rate of 11.5 million units heading into the holiday weekend. The rate has been above 12 million for seven straight months.

“With lower incentive levels, high gas prices and inventory shortages plaguing the month-to-date sales rate, light-vehicle sales in May have been unable to shake the slowdown from the stronger pace of the first four months of 2011,” said Jeff Schuster, executive director of global forecasting at J.D. Power.

Discounts drop

Across the industry, sales slumped in early May as automakers and dealers dialed back on incentives because of dwindling stockpiles resulting from the March earthquake in Japan.

GM said its average May discount dropped 10 percent from April. TrueCar.com estimates May discounts averaged $2,107 per model – down 13 percent from April and a drop of 29 percent from May 2010.

Several automakers responded to the drop-off in showroom traffic by enhancing incentives in mid-May, a move that drew more customers.

“May was a challenge,” said Patrick Browne, chief operating officer of the Colonial Automotive Group in Acton, Mass.

Browne said sales remained sluggish until the last 10 days of the month, when enhanced discounts and Memorial Day promotions drew buyers and helped push overall May sales up 5 percent over a year ago.

When Boston-area gas prices dropped back from nearly $4 a gallon last month, showroom traffic also ticked up, Browne said.

Colonial Automotive, while hampered by a shortage of models from Japanese brands and small cars from Detroit automakers, is also benefiting from more generous lending terms.

But the Boston housing market remains a drag on sales, Browne said. In the past, consumers tapped rising home values to buy a new car or light truck.

“The economy is still fragile and inventory remains a concern,” said Browne.

Tracking stockpiles

U.S. car and light truck inventories stood at 2.3 million units on May 1, down from 2.5 million on April 1 but up from 2.11 million units in May 2010.

Paul Taylor, chief economist for the National Automobile Dealers Association, said inventory shortages will plague some Japanese automakers through June and early July.

On Tuesday, Toyota said it expected to increase output to 90 percent of planned levels during June, up from a target of 70 percent as recently as May 12, and well above the 50 percent level it projected for May production.

“Japanese automakers will be back on line sooner than we realize,” said Taylor.

“And the fierce industry-wide battle for sales and share will resume just as soon.”

Taylor said the recent dip in gasoline prices should also bring some stability to the market.

While consumers are responding to the rise in fuel prices by conserving and driving less, Taylor said prices are nowhere near a level that would frighten consumers.

Gas prices are still short of their 2008 peak of $4.11 a gallon, and would need to climb to $4.50 a gallon to create “a disaster” for the auto industry, Taylor said.

“Falling gas prices will allow dealers to focus on selling a wider range of models, and rising used car prices should support new car sales by enhancing trade-in values,” Taylor said.

Setback for some Japanese

Combined with price increases, analysts say the decision to lower incentives in early May likely hurt some Japanese automakers.

“Most of the falloff is likely from the Japanese, who lost significant market share in May after raising prices and cutting their incentives drastically to preserve inventories,” Barclays Capital analyst Brian Johnson said in a new report. “Nissan, the Koreans and the Detroit Three appear have picked up much of that share and should outperform the rest of the industry in May.”

The Craig Zinn Automotive Group in southern Florida sold 400 Japanese-brand cars and light trucks - including Lexus, Toyota, Acura, and Subaru models - over the holiday weekend.

In December and January 2011, the group purchased 1,000 additional cars and light trucks in anticipation of price increases.

“We planned for the short term by purchasing a lot of Japanese-brand inventory above and beyond the dealership purchasing requirements,” CEO Craig Zinn said.

Bob Reichert, head of Kenwood Dealer Group in Cincinnati, said the company posted May sales that were 3.1 percent below May 2010.

His stores have benefited from a consolidation of Cincinnati-area dealers and healthy new vehicle stockpiles.

His Toyota store moved 50 new cars and light trucks over the weekend.

Sales at the group are now up 4.1 percent for the year.

“There seems to be pent-up demand and a desire to buy,” said Reichert. “May was a setback, but transaction prices are up, so I have no complaints.”

Source: [ Automotive News ]

April 2011 Auto Sales by the Numbers

David Walker, LeaseTrader.com — Tue, 03 May 2011 20:23:50 GMT

April 2011 Auto Sales by the Numbers

Automaker	Apr-11	Apr-10	Pct. chng.	4 month 2011	4 month 2010	Pct. chng.

BMW division	18,801	17,268	9%	71,417	63,591	12%
Mini Cooper	6,446	3,843	68%	18,787	12,571	49%
Rolls-Royce	44	42	5%	176	168	5%
BMW Group*	25,291	21,153	20%	90,380	76,330	18%
Chrysler Division	20,379	22,386	–9%	63,175	69,534	–9%
Dodge	44,320	38,795	14%	146,297	121,229	21%
Dodge/Ram	63,580	53,672	19%	222,381	177,292	25%
Fiat	882	–	–%	1,382	–	–%
Jeep	32,384	19,645	65%	117,237	83,092	41%
Ram	19,260	14,877	30%	76,084	56,063	36%
Chrysler Group LLC	117,225	95,703	23%	404,175	329,918	23%
Maybach	5	5	0%	20	23	13%
Mercedes-Benz	19,157	18,231	5%	75,152	68,800	9%
Smart USA	467	680	–31%	1,734	2,077	–17%
Daimler AG**	19,629	18,916	4%	76,906	70,900	9%
Ford division	182,048	146,330	24%	657,301	528,198	24%
Ford/Lincoln/Mercury	189,284	162,737	16%	684,792	590,439	16%
Lincoln	7,236	7,279	–1%	27,243	29,689	–8%
Mercury	–	9,128	–100%	248	32,552	–99%
Volvo	–	4,546	–100%	–	18,552	–100%
Ford Motor Co.***	189,284	167,283	13%	684,792	608,991	12%
Buick	18,413	12,181	51%	63,152	44,317	43%
Cadillac	13,127	11,317	16%	53,639	40,669	32%
Chevrolet	169,794	135,173	26%	586,299	472,958	24%
GMC	31,204	24,037	30%	121,993	92,656	32%
Hummer	–	481	–100%	–	1,336	–100%
Pontiac	–	52	–100%	–	634	–100%
Saab	–	–	–%	–	608	–100%
Saturn	–	373	–100%	–	6,297	–100%
General Motors****	232,538	183,614	27%	825,083	659,475	25%
Acura	11,604	10,719	8%	42,972	38,512	12%
Honda Division	113,195	102,978	10%	389,805	331,597	18%
Honda (American)†	124,799	113,697	10%	432,777	370,109	17%
Hyundai division	61,754	44,023	40%	204,374	155,532	31%
Kia	47,074	30,036	57%	151,848	106,732	42%
Hyundai Group††	108,828	74,059	47%	356,222	262,264	36%
Jaguar	1,249	896	39%	3,750	3,271	15%
Land Rover	2,982	2,749	9%	11,249	9,465	19%
Jaguar Land Rover	4,231	3,645	16%	14,999	12,736	18%
Maserati	229	186	23%	702	580	21%
Mazda	20,638	18,935	9%	85,197	74,876	14%
Mitsubishi	8,081	3,932	106%	28,248	17,555	61%
Infiniti	6,761	7,211	–6%	34,597	30,905	12%
Nissan Division	64,765	56,558	15%	322,287	261,093	23%
Nissan†††	71,526	63,769	12%	356,884	291,998	22%
Porsche	3,172	1,747	82%	10,179	6,969	46%
Saab Cars North America‡	696	215	224%	2,765	346	699%
Subaru	24,762	23,198	7%	92,219	80,692	14%
Suzuki	2,132	1,950	9%	8,834	7,611	16%
Lexus	17,576	18,359	-4%	64,932	67,882	–4%
Scion	5,710	3,577	60%	18,469	13,150	40%
Toyota division	136,254	135,503	1%	510,063	462,093	10%
Toyota/Scion	141,964	139,080	2%	528,532	475,243	11%
Toyota‡‡	159,540	157,439	1%	593,464	543,125	9%
Audi	10,018	9,319	8%	35,401	30,634	16%
Bentley	119	127	–6%	439	438	0%
VW division	28,542	23,135	23%	95,581	81,418	17%
Volkswagen‡‡‡	38,679	32,581	19%	131,421	112,490	17%
Volvo Cars North America‡‡‡‡	6,404	–	–%	21,844	–	–%
Other (estimate)	244	241	1%	976	963	1%
TOTAL	1,157,928	982,263	18%	4,218,067	3,527,928	20%

Numbers in this table are calculated by Automotive News based on actual monthly sales reported by the manufacturers and may differ from numbers reported elsewhere.
Source: Automotive News Data Center
Note: Other includes estimates for Aston Martin, Ferrari, Lamborghini and Lotus
*Includes Mini Cooper and Rolls-Royce
**Includes Maybach, Mercedes-Benz and Smart
***Includes Volvo through July 2010
****Includes Saab through February 2010
†Includes Acura
††Includes Kia
†††Includes Infiniti
‡The sale of Saab was final on February 23, 2010
‡‡Includes Lexus and Scion
‡‡‡Includes Audi and Bentley
‡‡‡‡The sale of Volvo to Zhejiang Geely Holding Group was final on Aug. 2, 2010

Source: [ Automotive News ]

Ford, GM, Hyundai surge on healthy sales of fuel-efficient models

Demand for big SUVs drops as gas prices rise

General Motors, helped by strong retail volume and new models such as the Chevrolet Cruze, reported a 27 percent increase in April sales.

GM's car sales climbed 50 percent, while large pickup demand rose just 2 percent. It was the eighth consecutive monthly increase for GM and its biggest gain since sales rose 46 percent in February.

GM's results are the first indication of how the industry fared in a month where the steady recovery was tested by rising gasoline prices and dwindling inventories resulting from the March earthquake in Japan. U.S. auto sales were up 20 percent through March.

"Consumers are continuing to rethink their vehicle choice," said Don Johnson, head of GM's U.S. sales operations. "A lot of sales continue to go into the compact car segment as well as the compact crossover segment."

Sales of the Chevrolet Cruze compact topped 25,000 units in April, with retail volume nearly triple the car it replaced, the Cobalt, from a year earlier.

GM said Chevrolet, GMC and Cadillac each set April total and retail sales records for crossover sales, led by a 49-percent increase in combined retail sales of the Chevy Equinox, GMC Terrain and Cadillac SRX.

GM said its incentives per vehicle dropped by about $400 from March to April, without providing specifics. Truecar.com, an online shopping site, estimated GM's incentives averaged $3,524 last month, up about 6.3 percent from the previous month and 5.8 percent higher compared to a year ago.

Sales outlook

The average April sales forecast of 40 economists polled by Reuters was 13 million vehicles on a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, which would be a 16 percent rise from an 11.2 million-rate in April 2010 and on par with March.

"There's a recovery going on in the auto industry and the economy," Ford Motor Co. sales analyst George Pipas said Monday. "There are more people working today than 2 or 3 months ago, and there's more income."

But rising gasoline prices and model shortages stemming from the March earthquake in Japan are expected to dampen sales in coming months.

Barclays analyst Brian Johnson this week cut his 2011 sales forecast by 300,000 units to 13.2 million, still among the highest estimates among analysts.

Truecar.com expects April sales to hit 1.145 million units, up 17 percent from a year earlier.

Discounts are forecast to drop 11 percent from April 2010 to $2,386 per vehicle last month, Truecar said.

"With inventory dwindling, automakers didn't have to spend as much money to move metal," TrueCar.com analyst Kristen Andersson said. "Incentive spending was at its lowest level since January 2006."

J.D. Power and Associates said new-vehicle retail sales continued to perform well in the second half of April despite growing inventory concerns, specifically compact vehicle supplies.

Power expects the retail selling rate in April to reach 11.1 million units, while the SAAR for all light-vehicle sales is expected to hit 13.1 million units.

"Increasing gas prices and shortages in vehicle inventory have yet to trump the overall recovery that has been progressing since the fall of 2010," said Jeff Schuster, head of global forecasting at J.D. Power and Associates.

"However, looking at the remainder of the year, growing uncertainty about gas prices and stockpiles is increasing the risk that that the industry may not reach the expected 13 million-unit level for total light-vehicle sales."

Gas prices

Average U.S. gas prices -- $3.80 a gallon -- are higher "at this point" in the year than they were in 2008, when a surge in fuel prices sent industry sales tumbling.

But U.S. car shoppers are responding to higher gas prices by choosing smaller vehicles and engines.

Ford says nearly 50 percent of the F-150 pickups it has sold in recent weeks and months have been equipped with one of 2 new V-6 engines now offered.

During the first 24 days of April, retail sales of small cars represented 23.9 percent of all light vehicle sales, up from 21 percent during the same period in 2010, Ford said.

Overall, retail sales of cars accounted for 52.9 percent of industry sales, up from 51.7 percent during the first 24 days of April 2010.

Minivans and pickups lost ground industry-wide in April, Ford says.

Healthy truck sales

Still, truck demand has remained resilient despite the surge in gas prices.

Sales of the redesigned Porsche Cayenne SUV have surged 91 percent this year. Land Rover sales are up 23 percent through March. GMC Yukon SUV demand is up 57 percent through March.

Analysts say wealthy consumers and small business owners are behind the rise in truck sales.

"Rising gas prices are pressuring truck sales, but the impact is more manageable this time around," Johnson said in a report Monday.

"We estimate less share loss than in 2008 for large trucks as most discretionary buyers have already moved away from the segment."

Dealers are also bracing for a shortage of models built in Japan.

Honda Motor Co. on Monday became the latest Japanese automaker to warn of more inventory shortages following the March earthquake in Japan. The quake, tsunami and nuclear crisis have disrupted parts production across Japan, forcing Honda, Toyota and other automakers to curtail output.

The inventory shortfall is expected to become more acute with smaller models such as the Honda Fit and Toyota Prius hybrid that are only assembled in Japan.

Jim Treece and Mike Colias contributed to this report