September could be the first time that new-vehicle retail sales have remained strong throughout the month in the U.S. since the stronger selling rates at the beginning of 2011 before the economy stalled, according to projections from consultancy J.D. Power and Associates.
The September retail seasonally adjusted annualized rate – SAAR – is expected to come in at 10.3 million units, which is up from the 9.6 million-unit rate in August. The total light-vehicle selling rate is forecasted at 13 million units for the month. In September of 2010 the retail selling rate was 9.5 million new cars and light trucks.
“As vehicle inventory improves from the shortages during the past four months, buyers are showing resilience despite the troubling economic environment,” said Jeff Schuster, executive director of global forecasting at J.D. Power. “While conditions remain challenging, a robust selling rate in September will help to ease fears of weaker vehicle sales in the fourth quarter.”
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.
