Category Archives: sales

BMW 2024 U.S. Sales Up Slightly

Posted on 4 January 2025 by Ken Zino

“This is a fantastic result, which is a direct reflection of the BMW brand’s strength and superior product line-up. U.S. customers really love our ‘Ultimate Driving Machines’ – regardless of drivetrain – which fueled sales growth of both ICE and BEV vehicles,” said Sebastian Mackensen, President & CEO, BMW of North America. Continue reading →

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GM 2024 U.S. Sales 2.7 Million

Posted on 3 January 2025 by Ken Zino

GM claimed it had a strong 2024 today in a social media post saying, GM expanded overall U.S. sales by 4%, to 2.7 million vehicles, its highest total since 2019. GM estimates its 2024 U.S. market share at 16.5%.

“We finished the year with inventory of about 54 days, meeting our target. All of our brands -Chevrolet, GMC, Buick and Cadillac – posted strong sales gains. For the fourth quarter, sales were up 21% from the year-earlier period,” said Rory Harvey, GM executive VP and president of global markets. “How did we do it? By investing to have the best portfolio in the industry. We have something for everyone, no matter what they like to drive.” Continue reading →

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Significant 2024 Automotive Stories and Trends

Posted on 1 January 2025 by Ken Zino

Once again at the beginning of 2025 AutoInformed notes – matter-of-factly – that its vision is 20-20 on the consequences of long past occurrences. However, in the here and now our perception is cloudy. We do not have the advantages of historians re-assessing events years later with help from other news outlets, blogs, letters, memoirs, magazines and whatever new forms of expressed thought emerge. Thus far the most valued revisions and nuanced interpretations appear in books and essays after more documents and perspectives surface from the players or perpetrators engaged in them. These are not yet available, and under Trump 2.0 they would likely be banned anyway. Continue reading →

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US Electrified Vehicle Sales Soar in 2024

Posted on 31 December 2024 by Ken Zino

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) today released its monthly update to National Transportation Statistics (NTS), a guide to historical national-level transportation trends. Of interest to AutoInformed are trends in Gasoline Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Sales; the Average Age of Automobiles and Trucks in Operation; and U.S.-Canadian and U.S.-Mexican Border Land-Freight Gateway Travel and Goods Movement.

A trend of note is that during the last three years, sales of Hybrids, EVs and PHEVs have come close to doubling, representing ~2,500,000 in annual sales during 2024. Continue reading →

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EU Car Sales Weak Again in November

Posted on 20 December 2024 by Ken Zino

During November 2024, new EU car registrations fell by 1.9%. France led with a sharp 12.7% decline, followed by Italy (-10.8%), while the German market (0.5%). stagnated slightly [read AutoInformed on November Western European Car Sales Up]* Among the four most significant EU markets, only Spain recorded positive growth (6.4%), according to data from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, aka ACEA derived from its French name.**

“Eleven months into 2024, new car registrations remained stable (+0.4%), reaching 9.7 million units. While the market in Spain performed positively (+5.1%), declines were witnessed in France (-3.7%), Germany (-0.4%), and Italy (-0.2%),” ACEA said in its monthly sales release. Continue reading →

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CarMax FY Q3 Net Profit Up 1.2%

Posted on 19 December 2024 by Ken Zino

CarMax (NYSE: KMX) today reported results for the third quarter ended November 30, 2024. Total gross profit of $677.6 million increased  by 10.6% year-over-year (YoY) because of higher volumes and margins. Gross profit per retail used unit was $2306, in line with the prior year’s Q3. Gross profit per wholesale unit  was $1015, up $54 per unit. Extended Protection Plans (EPP) margin per retail unit of $573, was an increase of $53.

“I am pleased with the positive momentum that we are driving across our diversified business model. Our solid execution and a more stable environment for vehicle valuations enabled us to deliver robust EPS growth driven by increases in unit sales and buys, solid margins, growth in CAF income, and ongoing management of SG&A,” said Bill Nash, president and chief executive officer. Continue reading →

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US Auto Sales Forecast Trump Bump or Bumpy 25?

Posted on 17 December 2024 by Ken Zino

The experts at Cox Automotive said today that the U.S. Automotive forecast for 2025 is likely positive with what they termed the Goldilocks economy – not too hot nor too cold but just right.

“Instead of a slowing economy, we have a stabilizing economy and most importantly, a stabilizing labor market,” said the estimable Jonathon Smoke Cox, Automotive chief economist. “We can stop fretting about a soft landing and acknowledge we’ve navigated restrictive rates, slowing job growth and increasing unemployment. But as we end 2024, momentum is back on our side. And the labor market is expected to remain at full employment,” said Smoke. Continue reading →

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November Global Light Vehicle Sales Rate 93 Million

Posted on 16 December 2024 by Ken Zino

The Global Light Vehicle (LV) selling rate for November* stood at 95 million units/year, according to an analysis released today by the respected GlobalData consultancy.** a small improvement on the previous month, and the best result so far in 2024. Market volumes continued to grow in November as YoY sales were up 6% compared to November 2023. YTD sales stood at 80 million units.

“In November, sales saw sustained growth in key markets like the US and China. Chinese consumers are capitalizing on scrappage subsidies and a very competitive pricing environment. In the US, an extra selling day compared to the previous year contributed to increased sales YoY. Sales in Western Europe remain lackluster, mirroring previous trends, as political and economic challenges persist, exacerbated by recent government turmoil in Germany and France,” the Global Light Vehicle Sales Forecast Team said. Continue reading →

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November Western European Car Sales Up

Posted on 6 December 2024 by Ken Zino

“Year-to-date (YTD) sales experienced a slight decline of 0.2% compared to the first eleven months of 2023. The recent collapse of both the German and French governments has heightened political uncertainty in the region. Despite support coming from rate cuts and new model introductions in2025, the combination of political headwinds, high pricing and challenges faced by domestic manufacturers will continue to challenge market activity in the short term,” the GlobalData European Light Vehicle Sales Forecasting Team said. Continue reading →

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Battery Electric Vehicle Sales In EU Slumping

Posted on 29 November 2024 by Ken Zino

Roughly half of all European markets saw a drop in battery electric vehicle sales through September 2024, compared to the same period in 2023. There was a slight improvement in Q3.

“This was contrary to consensus market projections. Battery electric vehicle sales in the EU experienced a year-on-year decline of 4% during the first nine months, prompting most OEMs to re-evaluate and rescale their investment plans and strategies towards electrification,” said Vivek Satheesh, a powertrain analyst at the respected  GlobalData consultancy. Continue reading →

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October Global Light Vehicle Sales Rate at 93 Million

Posted on 18 November 2024 by Ken Zino

The Global Light Vehicle (LV) selling rate for October stood at 93 million units/year, according to an analysis released today by the respected GlobalData consultancy.* Year-over-Year, market volumes rebounded from the previous months’ downward trend. YoY sales were up 6% versus October 2023. However, Year-to-Date sales have a modest increase of 1% compared to the same period last year.

“In October, sales experienced a resurgence across most regions. Sales in China grew 5% YoY, as the domestic market saw a modest recovery driven by subsidies and the ongoing price war. In the US, sales grew nearly 12% for the month, driven by additional selling days and new model releases. Finally, sales in Western Europe remained broadly flat, as the region continues to experience significant political and economic headwinds,” the GlobalData forecast team said. Continue reading →

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Slight Improvement in J.D. Power 2024 Sales Satisfaction

Posted on 8 November 2024 by Ken Zino

Customer satisfaction with the vehicle purchase process continues to rise as new-vehicle inventory and pricing improve year over year, according to the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Sales Satisfaction Index (SSI) Study, SM released this week.* Overall customer satisfaction with the vehicle purchase experience is 801 (on a 1000-point scale), up from 793 in 2023.** Continue reading →

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October 2024 US Light Vehicle Sales Up at 1.34 Million

Posted on 5 November 2024 by Ken Zino

Light Vehicle (LV) sales grew by 11.5% year-on-year (YoY) in October 2024, to 1.34 million units. Although the month had two additional selling days than it did in 2023, sales still exceeded expectations and provided a more cheerful perspective on the industry than has generally been the case in recent months, according to preliminary estimates released today by the respected GlobalData consultancy.

“Sales have generally disappointed for much of 2024, but October provided a pleasant change of pace. While the fundamentals of the market have probably not shifted to a great extent, some consumers appear to have been enticed by the gradual uptick in incentives, allied with greater vehicle availability and an easing in interest rates. A number of brands highlighted how Electric and Hybrid Vehicles performed better,” said David Oakley, Manager, Americas Sales Forecasts, GlobalData. Continue reading →

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Subaru of America Posts Modest Sales Increase for October

Posted on 1 November 2024 by Ken Zino

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru Corporation NASDAQ: FUJHF) today reported 54,552 vehicle sales for October 2024, an increase of 1.5% compared with October 2023 (53,772). SOA also reported year-to-date sales of 548,164, a 5.2 % increase compared with the same period in 2023. This makes for 27 consecutive months of yearly month-over-month growth.

“October was a notable month for our retailers, partners, and the entire Subaru family,” said Jeff Walters, President and Chief Operating Officer, Subaru of America. “We helped thousands of shelter pets find homes through Subaru Loves Pets® events, responded to hurricane recovery needs, and celebrated significant race wins with the Subaru Motorsports USA team. These collective efforts are what inspire us to be More Than a Car Company®, pushing our commitment forward as a team.” Continue reading →

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Oh Canada – Magna Q3 Sales Off but Net Earnings Up

Posted on 1 November 2024 by Ken Zino

“We continue to mitigate industry headwinds including lower production volumes in each of our core regions. Our ongoing initiatives and results to date reinforce our conviction in our free cash flow outlook this year and beyond. As we continuously seek to optimize value creation, we are resuming share repurchases in the fourth quarter –ahead of our prior plan,” said Swamy Kotagiri, Magna’s Chief Executive Officer. Continue reading →

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