Category Archives: sales

China Light Vehicle Sales Remain Strong in August

LMC notes that widespread industry predictions of only single digit growth rates for auto sales this year and for the next couple are increasingly looking erroneous and is sticking to a more than 13% increase during 2013 as a forecast. Continue reading

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European Car Sales Down. Lowest Level Ever for Year

From January through August 2013, new car sales amounted to 7,841,596 units or 5.2% less than in the same period last year. This means that it was the lowest January to August level ever recorded since record keeping began in 1990, according to ACEA, the automakers trade association. Continue reading

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China Auto Sales Continue Upward. GM Sets August Record

China’s entire light vehicle market posted a solid start in Q3, with locally‐made light vehicle sales according to the latest data available reaching 1.43 million units in July, up 9.3% from a year earlier. Continue reading

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August European Auto Sales Down Again

Auto sales in Western Europe fell by 5.3% in August dashing the hopes of auto executives that the market had finally bottomed out while continuing a five year negative trend as the results continue to confirm the bleak conditions facing the industry. Continue reading

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Asian Brands Dominate U.S. August Sales

While the pickup truck market dominated by the Detroit Three exploded during August, in the crucial and larger car market, Asian brands ruled. Continue reading

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Chrysler, Ford, GM Post Double Digit August Sales Gains

Chrysler, Ford and GM all recorded double digit gains in U.S. August sales as the market went back to the pre-Great Recession levels of 2007. Robust pickup truck sales, a relatively trouble free changeover to the production of 2014 models, cheap credit and strong retail demand, all were factors in an overall industry that is now running at more than 16 million units annually. Continue reading

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Ford Motor Used Vehicle Sales Running at Record Levels

In general, automakers are setting record used car sales through their dealers as the U.S. economy slowly recovers – more than 80% of workers commute to work in vehicles – and interest rates remain at absurdly low rates as taxpayers continue to subsidize the bankers and Wall Street firms that caused the Great Recession. Record high new vehicle prices – more than $30,000 on average for a car, +$40,000 for a truck – are also forcing some buyers into used vehicles. Continue reading

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August Auto Sales Forecast at a Robust 13.1 Million SAAR

U.S. new vehicle sales in August are projected at 1,270,400 units, a 12% increase from August 2012 and the highest monthly sales tally since 2006. Continue reading

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Global Light Vehicle Sales up 14% in July 2013

While global light vehicle sales slowed during July, the selling rate is still ahead of year-ago levels with a Seasonally Adjusted Annualized Rate or SAAR at 82.2 million. In the U.S. during July, sales were once again strong, with a SAAR of nearly 15.8 million, an increase of 14% versus July 2012. Continue reading

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Economics, Not Disinterest Explains Low Car Sales to Young

Disinterest in new cars by young people is a myth that ignores fundamental economic trends, General Motors Chief Economist Mustafa Mohatarem said at the CAR Management Briefings in Traverse City, Michigan. New car affordability, a crushing student loan debt and higher operating and insurance costs are delaying young people from buying new vehicles. “It’s not a permanent withdraw from the market, it’s more of a delay,” Mohatarem said. Continue reading

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Offshore Brands Move Ahead in July. Toyota outsells Ford

GM by slightly outperforming an overall market that was up 14% easily held onto its Number One spot in the U.S. at 234,071 vehicles sold. However, Ford Motor slipped to Number Three as Toyota had a stronger month with sales soaring to 193,394 to Ford’s 190,080. March of 2010 was the last time Toyota topped Ford and with new Corolla compact car and Tundra pickup trucks just entering production, the back half of the year will see a battle royal between the two global automakers. Continue reading

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Chrysler Group July 2013 U.S. Sales up 11%

It was the best July in seven years as Chrysler Group today reported U.S. sales of 140,102 units, an 11% increase compared with sales in July 2012 of 126,089 units. Jeep, Dodge, Ram Truck and Fiat brands each posted year-over-year sales gains in July compared with the same month a year ago. Chrysler Group extended its streak of year-over-year sales gains to 40-consecutive months in July Continue reading

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EuroSlump Goes On – June Commercial Vehicle Sales Drop -5%

During June commercial vehicle sales in the EU dropped by -5% in the EU as vehicle registrations continued their downward trend to 149,996 units. In another dismal month, all segments were down, from -4.2% for vans to -14.0% for buses and coaches. Continue reading

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July U.S. Sales Projected as Hot – up 12%

Not all this is good news for automakers in general, and specifically the Detroit Three. Drastic capacity cuts during the Great Recession have caught them out with the market recovery volumes approaching 16 million now running at least a year ahead of earlier forecasts. Mandatory overtime and cancelled vacations are the rule of the day, which ultimately will wear down UAW and workers at Japanese companies and inevitably lead to quality declines. Continue reading

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GM Sales Up 4% in First Half of 2013. Chevrolet Sets Record

General Motors sold more than 4.85 million vehicles in the first half of 2013, an increase of under 4% compared to the same period in 2012. The question now is will GM remain Number Two in Global Auto sales when current leader Toyota Motor reports sales results for the period. GM in a rising global market increased its share only 0.1% year-over-year, while Toyota has been rebounding at a much higher rate. Continue reading

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