Wendy Byrd Kang taking delivery of a Honda Fit, AutoNation’s eighth millionth sale. The U.S. Army Specialist recently returned from Afghanistan.
AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE :AN) today announced that its retail new vehicle sales in May 2011 totaled 16,347, a decrease of 15% as compared to May 2010. At the end of May, AutoNation delivered its eight millionth vehicle – an auto retail industry first – during the grand opening of Honda of Dulles, which it owns.
The largest automotive retailer in the United States increased sales of U.S. products, but sharp decreases in sales of Japanese vehicles hurt results.
Retail new vehicle unit sales in May 2011 for AutoNation’s operating segments were as follows:
- 5,995 for Domestic, up 3% versus May 2010,
- 7,110 for Import, down 30% versus May 2010, and
- 3,242 for Premium Luxury, up 1% versus May 2010.
May 2011 had 24 selling days, while May 2010 had 26.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
