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By the Numbers: January 2007
Ford and General Motors see sales fall sharply in January, Toyota continues growth, Mitsubishi makes a comeback
The numbers for January look worse than they actually are. Both Ford an General Motors saw sales fall around 20% compared to last year, but the drop is the result of a planned reduction in sales to fleet companies by both automakers, which will in turn improve the resale value of their vehicles reaching showrooms this year. The Chrysler Group managed to minimize the damage this month, thanks in large part to the performance of its Jeep brand that was up 14% this month. Some analysts and journalists are making noise that Ford fell to fourth place in sales this month behind GM, Toyota and the Chrysler Group. This is only true if sales of the Premier Automotive Group are not counted along with Ford, Lincoln and Mercury sales, something that was never done before this month when it seems convenient to make a sensational headline.
As usual, Toyota was up almost 5% this month and earned the title of Nation's Best-Selling Brand thanks to Ford and Chevy giving up all those fleet sales. Both of Nissan's brands had a good month, propelling Nissan North America up almost 5%. Finally, we have to give Suzuki credit for carrying its momentum into the new year with sales up 9% and Mitsubishi, a company we all thought was on life support in the U.S. but came out of January kicking with sales up nearly 21%.
Biggest Winner
Mercedes-Benz
31.4% at 17,069 (1/06: 12,469)
Biggest Loser
Pontiac
–38.5% at 24,060 (1/06: 37,545)
BRANDS
Acura–10.6% at 13,017 (1/06: 13,981)
Audi.97% at 6,399 (1/06: 6,084)
BMW–1.8% at 19,761 (1/06: 19,274)
Buick–32.8% at 12,013 (1/06: 17,173)
Cadillac–10.5% at 13,740 (1/06: 14,733)
Chevrolet–17.9% at 148,488 (1/06: 173,622)
Chrysler–18% at 41,486 (1/06: 48,628)
Dodge–1% at 79,461 (1/06: 77,064)
Ford–25.2% at 132,006 (1/06: 169,412)
GMC–2.3% at 28,488 (1/06: 27,978)
Honda–.17% at 87,773 (1/06: 84,413)
HUMMER–26.7% at 3,980 (1/06: 5,214)
Hyundai–11.9% at 27,721 (1/06: 30,208)
Infiniti6.8% at 8,964 (1/06: 8,058)
Isuzu1.5% at 667 (1/06: 631)
Jaguar–16.4% at 1,390 (1/06: 1,596)
Jeep14% at 35,361 (1/06: 29,773)
Kia19.4% at 22,524 (1/06: 18,110)
Land Rover–10.8% at 3,433 (1/06: 3,693)
Lexus8% at 22,118 (1/06: 19,658)
Lincoln1.4% at 9,594 (1/06: 9,345)
Mazda1.7% at 19,265 (1/06: 18,177)
Mercedes-Benz31.4% at 17,069 (1/06: 12,469)
Mercury–5.3% at 12,604 (1/06: 12,781)
MINI–33% at 2,050 (1/06: 2,944)
Mitsubishi20.7% at 9,383 (1/06: 7,463)
Nissan4.3% at 73,680 (1/06: 67,834)
Pontiac–38.5% at 24,060 (1/06: 37,545)
Porsche–10.7% at 3,103 (1/06: 3,337)
Saab3.3% at 2,362 (1/06: 2,196)
Saturn–22.2% at 13,705 (1/06: 16,907)
Subaru–6.4% at 12,074 (1/06: 12,384)
Suzuki8.9% at 8,179 (1/06: 7,210)
Toyota4.7% at 153,732 (1/06: 140,967)
Volkswagen–1.8% at 16,610 (1/06: 16,237)
Volvo–15.2% at 7,808 (1/06: 8,844)
COMPANIES
BMW Group–5.8% at 21,811 (1/06: 22,218)
Chrysler Group–3.5% at 156,308 (1/06: 155,465)
Ford Motor Co–22.1% at 166,835 (1/06: 205,671)
General Motors–19.7% at 247,464 (1/06: 296,003)
Honda America–1.7% at 100,790 (1/06: 98,394)
Nissan North America4.5% at 82,644 (1/06: 75,891)
Toyota Motor Co.5.1% at 175,850 (1/06: 160,625)
Note: All percentages represent the chance in the Daily Average Sales rate on account of there being 25 selling days in January 2007 compared with 24 in January 2006. Thus, the percentage is obtained by dividing the number of sales in each month with the number of available selling days that month, and calculating the difference between the two as a percentage.
The numbers for January look worse than they actually are. Both Ford an General Motors saw sales fall around 20% compared to last year, but the drop is the result of a planned reduction in sales to fleet companies by both automakers, which will in turn improve the resale value of their vehicles reaching showrooms this year. The Chrysler Group managed to minimize the damage this month, thanks in large part to the performance of its Jeep brand that was up 14% this month. Some analysts and journalists are making noise that Ford fell to fourth place in sales this month behind GM, Toyota and the Chrysler Group. This is only true if sales of the Premier Automotive Group are not counted along with Ford, Lincoln and Mercury sales, something that was never done before this month when it seems convenient to make a sensational headline. As usual, Toyota was up almost 5% this month and earned the title of Nation's Best-Selling Brand thanks to Ford and Chevy giving up all those fleet sales. Both of Nissan's brands had a good month, propelling Nissan North America up almost 5%. Finally, we have to give Suzuki credit for carrying its momentum into the new year with sales up 9% and Mitsubishi, a company we all thought was on life support in the U.S. but came out of January kicking with sales up nearly 21%.
Biggest Winner
Mercedes-Benz
31.4% at 17,069 (1/06: 12,469)Biggest Loser
Pontiac
–38.5% at 24,060 (1/06: 37,545)BRANDS
Acura
–10.6% at 13,017 (1/06: 13,981)Audi
.97% at 6,399 (1/06: 6,084)BMW
–1.8% at 19,761 (1/06: 19,274)Buick
–32.8% at 12,013 (1/06: 17,173)Cadillac
–10.5% at 13,740 (1/06: 14,733)Chevrolet
–17.9% at 148,488 (1/06: 173,622)Chrysler
–18% at 41,486 (1/06: 48,628)Dodge
–1% at 79,461 (1/06: 77,064)Ford
–25.2% at 132,006 (1/06: 169,412)GMC
–2.3% at 28,488 (1/06: 27,978)Honda
–.17% at 87,773 (1/06: 84,413)HUMMER
–26.7% at 3,980 (1/06: 5,214)Hyundai
–11.9% at 27,721 (1/06: 30,208)Infiniti
6.8% at 8,964 (1/06: 8,058)Isuzu
1.5% at 667 (1/06: 631)Jaguar
–16.4% at 1,390 (1/06: 1,596)Jeep
14% at 35,361 (1/06: 29,773)Kia
19.4% at 22,524 (1/06: 18,110)Land Rover
–10.8% at 3,433 (1/06: 3,693)Lexus
8% at 22,118 (1/06: 19,658)Lincoln
1.4% at 9,594 (1/06: 9,345)Mazda
1.7% at 19,265 (1/06: 18,177)Mercedes-Benz
31.4% at 17,069 (1/06: 12,469)Mercury
–5.3% at 12,604 (1/06: 12,781)MINI
–33% at 2,050 (1/06: 2,944)Mitsubishi
20.7% at 9,383 (1/06: 7,463)Nissan
4.3% at 73,680 (1/06: 67,834)Pontiac
–38.5% at 24,060 (1/06: 37,545)Porsche
–10.7% at 3,103 (1/06: 3,337)Saab
3.3% at 2,362 (1/06: 2,196)Saturn
–22.2% at 13,705 (1/06: 16,907)Subaru
–6.4% at 12,074 (1/06: 12,384)Suzuki
8.9% at 8,179 (1/06: 7,210)Toyota
4.7% at 153,732 (1/06: 140,967)Volkswagen
–1.8% at 16,610 (1/06: 16,237)Volvo
–15.2% at 7,808 (1/06: 8,844)COMPANIES
BMW Group
–5.8% at 21,811 (1/06: 22,218)Chrysler Group
–3.5% at 156,308 (1/06: 155,465)Ford Motor Co
–22.1% at 166,835 (1/06: 205,671)General Motors
–19.7% at 247,464 (1/06: 296,003)Honda America
–1.7% at 100,790 (1/06: 98,394)Nissan North America
4.5% at 82,644 (1/06: 75,891)Toyota Motor Co.
5.1% at 175,850 (1/06: 160,625)Note: All percentages represent the chance in the Daily Average Sales rate on account of there being 25 selling days in January 2007 compared with 24 in January 2006. Thus, the percentage is obtained by dividing the number of sales in each month with the number of available selling days that month, and calculating the difference between the two as a percentage.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
DarkKnight67 7:28AM (2/02/2007)
Although I am sorry to see the decline for GM and Ford, they are doing the right thing by trying to reestablish the value of their vehicles in the market. The item I find most interesting is how Toyota was going to have another double digit gain, then it only turned out to be 9.5%, and according to this it's only 5.1%. Hmmm, could they be slipping and don't even know it?
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Dusty 8:21AM (2/02/2007)
Good job Mitsubishi! Thats what you get when you put out some decent vehicles (ie Eclipse, Outlander). With the new Lancer around the corner things should continue to improve.
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rem83 8:30AM (2/02/2007)
This drop seems expected considering that both Ford and GM have drastically reduced the size of their respective organizations. While they're selling less cars, they are probably making more money per car than they did last year (or losing less).
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phewop118 1:59AM (2/03/2007)
the only reason Toyota had gains was due to an increase in fleet Sales
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blitzkrieg79 9:12AM (2/02/2007)
Good to see Mitsubishi picking it up thanks to the new Outlander and Eclipse. Can't wait for the new Lancer, should also help out with their sales. Actually Mitsubishi is doing very well in Europe, Middle-East, Asia (especially Japan), and decent in Australia, only in US they kind of dipped but I think they are picking it up. They are one of the few remaining companies who still have the motorsports spirit as per Lancer Evolution and the undisputed 4x4 champion offroader Pajero (7 Dakar rallies in a row says something).
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J.Crew 9:24AM (2/02/2007)
Please take note... Honda's sales are lower!!! It is funny how everyone notices when the Big 2.5 drop in numbers, but no one notices when the mighty Honda loses ground. This could be a headline.
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Slim 9:36AM (2/02/2007)
I can't figure out why Kia is up 19% but Hyundai is down almost 12%... Odd.
http://www.forsalebyslim.com
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RevRick 9:37AM (2/02/2007)
This article does not address the fact that Toyota increased it's fleet sales while GM and Ford are lowering their sales. Since January is the month of fleet sales, this could also account for some of the Toyota increase. Not written in stone but possible.
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Tim 9:45AM (2/02/2007)
All auto sales will be down this year compared to last. The most shocking is the Saturn decline since they have more models than ever before. Saturn has never made a dime for Gm and never will. Other GM brands were down double digits. Captain Kirk please return to bridge??
http://www.forbes.com/columnists/2006/05/22/flint-saturn-cars-cz_jf_0523flint.html
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samuelr 9:49AM (2/02/2007)
Why does honda have a higher sales number for 07 but is in the negative?
Honda America –1.7% at 100,790 (1/06: 98,394)
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Cap'n Jack 10:46AM (2/02/2007)
How come the larger "VW" group isn't listed at the bottom, but the BMW group is?
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CB1 11:06AM (2/02/2007)
Bring Em On!!!! - GM press release
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CMOS 11:54AM (2/02/2007)
#5, I think you are taking things out of proportion just a tad arn't you?
OMG NOTE HONDA!!, they are down just a little over 1% as compared to the 19% and UP that GM and Ford are facing.
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Drewboy 11:18AM (2/02/2007)
I think #7 has it right - GM & Ford are decreasing fleet sales. I didn't know Toyota was increasing them. I think its a good move, although I kinda enjoyed being able to pick up my wife's Ford Focus cheap as dirt because of the depreciation... That might not happen again.
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Lithous 11:25AM (2/02/2007)
"Toyota was up almost 5% this month and earned the title of Nation's Best-Selling Brand thanks to Ford and Chevy giving up all those fleet sales."
Oh, no, here comes the commericals. Toyota probably has one all ready for the Big Game telling us how they are #1 for January. Probably has Watanabe waking up in the morning kissing a map of America and calling up the leader of Japan telling him how he loves the American people or something. I mean, they *need* to show America some love in their commercials and they can only do it so many times by *just* showing the U.S. map and stuff, they need to take it to the next level. Maybe Watanabe and Press hugging each other wearing U.S. flag underwear. Actually, Press' would probably be rising sun underwear.
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Lithous 11:38AM (2/02/2007)
Not only that, the way Americans receive and parse their information (incorrectly), don't be surprised if this info (Toyota passing Chevy and Ford) will cross mix with the reports that Toyota being #1 in the world and next thing you know people will be incorrectly spewing how Toyota passed GM in U.S. sales (for January or eventually this year if that is the case).
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Rastus 11:46AM (2/02/2007)
Just the normal noises in here.
GM and Ford are entangled in some rather gruesome orgy of a bloodbath together...
...all the while those who have busted their ass year after year (going on 2 decades now) are cleaning the domestics' clock.
Amazing how the free market works!!!
(Here's lookin' at you kid ;)
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Rastus 11:58AM (2/02/2007)
http://www.amazon.com/Rude-Awakening-Struggle-Recovery-General/dp/0060973420/sr=1-2/qid=1170435403/ref=sr_1_2/103-7899365-9159864?ie=UTF8&s=books
I wonder if GM is having a "Rude Awakening" yet?
Maybe...just maybe??? Hmmmmm
Rise, FALL, and STRUGGLE.... Sounds like a Country Western song to be sung while you are completely inebriated.
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Big Rocket 12:18PM (2/02/2007)
#9 (samuelr): "Why does honda have a higher sales number for 07 but is in the negative? Honda America –1.7% at 100,790 (1/06: 98,394)"
Autoblog: "Note: All percentages represent the [change] in the Daily Average Sales rate on account of there being 25 selling days in January 2007 compared with 24 in January 2006. Thus, the percentage is obtained by dividing the number of sales in each month with the number of available selling days that month, and calculating the difference between the two as a percentage."
In other words:
Honda Jan 2006 sales = 98,394/24 = 4,099.75 per day
Honda Jan 2007 sales = 100,790/25 = 4,031.60 per day
Percentage drop = (4,031.60-4,099.75)/4,099.75*100% = –1.7%
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regguy 12:15PM (2/02/2007)
Your BMW %'s are wrong in number/direction.
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