Category Archives: sales

GM Posts Record 2024 EBIT, EPS and Cash Flow

Posted on 28 January 2025 by Ken Zino

General Motors (NYSE:GM) today posted full-year 2024 net income attributable to shareholders of $6.0 billion at an EBIT-adjusted $14.9 billion. Full-year revenue increased ~9% to $187.4 billion. Investors in GM earned a 50% total return as GM ended the year with an outstanding share count of 995 million ahead of its announced buyback plan. Fourth quarter net income was reduced by more than $5 billion in special charges, primarily by $4 billion of non-cash restructuring charges and impairment of GM interests in certain China Joint Ventures, and $0.5 billion in charges related to the decision to stop funding the Cruise robotaxi business. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, car sharing, connected vehicles, economy, financial results, manufacturing, marketing, mobility company, news analysis, results, sales | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Corvette 2025 ZR1 VIN 001 at Barrett-Jackson Auction

Posted on 27 January 2025 by Ken Zino

Last Saturday the first retail production 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, VIN 001, sold at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction for $3.7 million. All of the hammer price – 100% – of this Barrett-Jackson charity auction on 25 January, goes to the American Red Cross. Chevrolet said today that selected the Red Cross to benefit disaster relief efforts in areas impacted by hurricanes Helene and Milton, as well as general relief to help people affected by disasters big and small, including wildfires, storms and countless other crises. (Read AutoInformed on Chevrolet 2025 Corvette ZR1 Starts at $185,995) Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, car sharing, milestones, new vehicle, news analysis, people, sales, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Pre-Trump US Q3 EV Sales Set All Time Record

Posted on 23 January 2025 by Ken Zino

During Q3 of 2024, automakers sold 408,688 electric vehicles (EVs include battery, plug-in hybrid, and fuel cell electric vehicles) in the United States, meaning 10.6% of overall light-duty vehicle sales. This represents a 0.6 percentage point (pp) market share increase compared to the second quarter of 2024 amounting to an increase of ~22,000 vehicle sales. Simply put this makes EV Sales volume in Q3 the highest on record according to data released today by the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, a trade and lobbying group for automakers. Continue reading →

Posted in electric vehicles, environment, global warming, milestones, news analysis, people, public health, sales | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

BMW Group Posts So-So Sales Results in 2024

Posted on 13 January 2025 by Ken Zino

With a total of 2,450,804 vehicles delivered to customers in 2024, the BMW Group said today that it achieved its new annual sales target that was adjusted downward during the second half of 2024. Electrified vehicles represented 24.2% of total BMW Group sales in 2024, with 593,215 units delivered to customers. Fully-electric vehicles accounted for 17.4% of total sales.

“The BMW brand delivered 2,200,177 vehicles to customers in the full year 2024 (-2.3%). With its attractive product portfolio across all technologies, the brand maintained its position as the global leader in its segment. In the Europe region, the BMW brand expanded its market share, registering double-digit sales growth in Italy, France and the UK. The BMW brand also posted sales growth in the U.S. In Germany, despite a declining market for fully-electric vehicles, BMW saw growth in new BEV registrations,” BMW said in a garbled release. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, car sharing, marketing, news analysis, sales | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Volkswagen Sales Flat in 2024

Posted on 10 January 2025 by Ken Zino

Volkswagen brand delivered ~4.8 million vehicles to customers worldwide last year – 1.4 % fewer than in the previous year. However, it was the market leader in Germany with a market share of 19.1% , according to the German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA). Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, car sharing, manufacturing, marketing, sales | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in auto news, car sharing, electric vehicles, marketing, news analysis, results, sales | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in auto news, car sharing, electric vehicles, marketing, news analysis, results, sales | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in auto news, AutoInformed Editorial, car sharing, connected vehicles, economy, environment, fools 'n frauds, global warming, labor issues, manufacturing, marketing, news, news analysis, sales, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in electric vehicles, environment, global warming, news analysis, sales, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in auto news, car sharing, connected vehicles, economy, insurance, manufacturing, marketing, news analysis, results, sales, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in auto news, car sharing, connected vehicles, economy, financial results, marketing, news analysis, sales | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in auto news, car sharing, connected vehicles, economy, electric vehicles, manufacturing, marketing, news analysis, sales, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in auto news, car sharing, connected vehicles, economy, manufacturing, marketing, news analysis, results, sales, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 →

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

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 →

Posted in auto news, economy, electric vehicles, environment, global warming, labor issues, manufacturing, news analysis, results, sales | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment