Tag Archives: results

Top Ten Auto Stories of 2012

While it’s the job of historians to accurately weigh and assess events years after the fact when more documents, memoirs, special pleadings and perspective are available, journalists staring down a deadline have no such option. Here is AutoInformed on the significant automotive related stories of the 2012 year, with our wry awareness, as always, that columnists conduct their education in public. Continue reading

Share >
Posted in auto news, milestones, news, news analysis, people | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Toyota, Honda Post Huge September Sales Gains as Nissan Stalls

Worrisome for competitors were increases in market share of 2.6% at Toyota, and 1.2% at Honda year-over-year, according to AutoData. Each percentage point in share is worth roughly $1 billion dollars in profits, according to an old industry rule of thumb. Left as road kill was Nissan whose share dropped more than 1% with sales of 92% units. Continue reading

Share >
Posted in auto news, marketing, news analysis, results, sales | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

General Motors September U.S. Vehicle Sales Up Slightly

General Motors reported September U.S. vehicle sales of 210,245 vehicles, an increase of 1.5% compared year-over-year to September 2011 in an industry that grew by 14.5%. GM sales executives, looking for a bright spot, said that passenger car sales increased to 89,000 from 69,000 for September, or +29%, compared to an industry gain of +23.5%. All GM brands increased their retail sales in what was another tough month for the U.S.’s largest automaker. The largest U.S. automaker now unquestionably has a better sales mix with calendar year-to-date sales of 813,000 cars, 678,000 trucks and 478,000 crossover vehicles. GM sales year-to-date are up 3.4% in an industry that recovered at four times that rate, though. The tepid or turn-around GM sales – choose your interpretation – GM are the sum of a complex three-dimensional game, which attempts to balance profits, capacity, competitive actions and momentum, with still badly needed brand rebuilding. Continue reading

Share >
Posted in auto news, news analysis, results, sales | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ford Motor U.S. Sales Flat in September

September U.S. vehicle sales at Ford Motor were the same as last year,175,000, as the Dearborn-based automaker continues to lag market growth. A variety of factors – including inventory shortages, the result of deficient forecasting made early in the Great Recession when Ford jettisoned (too) many workers and plants, as well as necessary new model changeovers now underway are clearly hurting results.

Projections put the overall U.S. industry up more than 12% when final numbers are available late today [September came in at +13%], with Japanese makers Toyota, Nissan and Honda expected to post double-digit increases as car segments continue to boom because of $4 a squirt gasoline. Once again, this month Toyota – now fully back in production – challenged Ford for the Number Two U.S. sales position with monthly sales of 171,910 units.

The subcompact, compact and midsize car segments are expected to show retail sales growth of at least 25% percent, compared with September 2011, according to a projection by J.D. Power and Associates. Japanese automakers have strong reputations and residual values in these segments, which result in attractive pricing, buyer loyalty and increasing sales. Continue reading

Share >
Posted in auto news, marketing, results, sales | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Porsche Sales up 16% in July. Boxster and 911 Strong

Porsche increased sales in July by 16% helped by strong sales of the Boxster and 911. The automaker sold 12,391 cars and trucks during the month. Led by sales of the Panamera sedan and Cayenne sport utility vehicle, Porsche has sold 81,562 vehicles (+14 %) in the first seven months of 2012. Continue reading

Share >
Posted in auto news, results, sales | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment