By the Numbers: February 2007
Almost all the sales numbers are in for the month of February, and it appears the good and bad news has been spread fairly evenly across the industry. Ford Motor Company and the Chrysler Group received the brunt of bad news, with sales down 13.5% and 8%, respectively. In Ford's defense, sales to rental fleets were down 30%, so at least the Blue Oval is actively trying to ween itself from an addiction to fleet sales. General Motors, however, managed to eek out a small 3.4% improvement in sales despite being dragged down by a few of its brands like Buick (–29.5%) and HUMMER (–26%). Saturn, however, which sold more than Buick and HUMMER combined, imrpoved an impressive 59.4% thanks to strong sales of the new Aura and VUE. Of the major automakers, Toyota once again improved the most, gaining 12.2% more sales than last February.Among full-line automakers, General Motors easily sold the most (311,763), with Ford in second (211,150) as usual and Toyota (187,330) easily passing the Chrysler Group (174,506) again for the third spot. Coincidentally, the major brands shook out the same way with GM's Chevrolet brand (187,088) selling the most, Ford coming in second (173,794) and Toyota (164,812) third.
Biggest Winner
Saturn
59.4% at 22,225 (2/06: 13,945)Biggest Loser
Buick
–29.5% at 15,108 (2/06: 21,425)BRANDS
Acura
–3.4% at 13,658 (2/06: 14,146)Audi
37.5% at 6,609 (2/06: 4,806)BMW
15.2% at 22,274 (2/06: 19,328)Buick
–29.5% at 15,108 (2/06: 21,425)Cadillac
–13% at 14,142 (2/06: 16,251)Chevrolet
5.3% at 187,088 (2/06: 177,710)Chrysler
–16% at 46,112 (2/06: 55,127)Dodge
–5% at 90,618 (2/06: 95,622)Ford
–15.2% at 173,794 (2/06: 204,846)GMC
22.3% at 41,279 (2/06: 33,751)Honda
4.2% at 96,368 (2/06: 92,498)HUMMER
–26% at 4,177 (2/06: 5,645)Hyundai
1.4% at 34,500 (2/06: 34,014)Infiniti
5% at 9,704 (2/06: 9,244)Isuzu
15.4% at 960 (2/06: 832)Jaguar
–28.3% at 1,191 (2/06: 1,662)Jeep
–5% at 37,776 (2/06: 39,618)Kia
13.5% at 23,512 (2/06: 20,719)Land Rover
–10% at 3,106 (2/06: 3,453)Lexus
6.6% at 22,518 (2/06: 21,127)Lincoln
10.8% at 10,763 (2/06: 9,713)Mercedes
–.3% at 17,304 (2/06: 17,356)Mercury
–13.2% at 13,843 (2/06: 15,950)MINI
–12% at 2,368 (2/06: 2,690)Mitsubishi
22% at 9,726 (2/06: 7,976)Nissan
.7% at 75,514 (2/06: 74,997)Pontiac
–15.6% at 24,563 (2/06: 29,107)Porsche
–27% at 1,967 (2/06: 2,700)Saab
–20.3% at 2,221 (2/06: 2,787)Saturn
59.4% at 22,225 (2/06: 13,945)Subaru
–5.6% at 12,875 (2/06: 13,635)Suzuki
1% at 8,585 (2/06: 8,542)Toyota
13% at 164,812 (2/06: 145,813)Volkswagen
.2% at 16,367 (2/06: 16,329)Volvo
.7% at 8,453 (2/06: 8,397)Not Yet Reported: Mazda
COMPANIES
BMW Group
11.9% at 24,642 (2/06: 22,018)Chrysler Group
–8% at 174,506 (2/06: 190,367)Ford Motor Co
–13.5% at 211,150 (2/06: 244,021)General Motors
3.4% at 311,763 (2/06: 301,545)Honda America
3.2% at 110,026 (2/06: 106,644)Nissan North America
1.2% at 85,218 (2/06: 84,241)Toyota Motor Co.
12.2% at 187,330 (2/06: 166,940)Note: There were 24 selling days in both February 2006 and February 2007, which means no additional calculations were needed to correct these numbers.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
akintz 5:39PM (3/01/2007)
Maybe it's just me, but Saturn is a HUGE surprise in those numbers... I mean, an increase is one thing, but holy crap.
No Scion numbers? Or are those normally not included? I have one, so I'm curious...
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Aaron 5:45PM (3/01/2007)
mazda was down 6.4% 22,067 units moved..
scion is presumably rolled into the toyota thing.
xa was off 25% for the month, XB -29.6%, Xc -13.5%
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Aki 5:58PM (3/01/2007)
Saturn/GM makes better product, sales jump... fancy that. Now if only Ford can follow suit, instead of wasting money on crappy "Bold Moves" marketing.
I like GM's new direction in products, and hope the company sees an upturn.
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Mark 6:00PM (3/01/2007)
If you are going to include PAG with Ford, then include Mercedes-Benz with Chrysler. It is an unfair comparison otherwise.
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aaron 6:03PM (3/01/2007)
saturn should not be a surprise. the aura, sky and outlook are unmatched for sales last year.. It will be a free for all for them (like Audi's sales increases due to their SUV).
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mkbruin 6:06PM (3/01/2007)
Let me get this straight:
articles are saying that toyota is expected to surpass GM in sales this year, but according to january numbers:
Toyota Motor Corporation: 187,330
Chevrolet: 187,088
Toyota as a whole (including Toy, Lex, Sci) sold only 242 more cars than Chevrolet, yet they are widely expected to surpass Chevy, Buick, Cadillac, Hummer, Pontiac, GMC, Saturn, and Saab? Maybe its just me, but I don't see the numbers there unless toy further pads its rental fleet sales.
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pauln 6:27PM (3/01/2007)
GM is rearanging the deck chairs on the Titanic: Pontiac, Buick and Chevrolet (cars) are sacrificed for the prodigal son, Saturn. What's the point in shifting the sales around like that? Seems like an expensive way to end up with still losing (car) sales numbers.
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Storm9 6:19PM (3/01/2007)
Just a matter of time now until Jaguar sells 0 cars.
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JC3 6:27PM (3/01/2007)
Saturn will be #1 again when the numbers come back for their Outlook crossover.An excellent product(as is the GM Acadia).Congradulations GM your on a roll!
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Hondacura 6:25PM (3/01/2007)
To: mkbruin
They are referring to worldwide not United States.
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bgdc 6:25PM (3/01/2007)
mkbruin,
I believe the Toyota to pass GM thing = worldwide sales for all makes from both companies. I'd be shocked if Toyota couldn't do that considering GM...
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LEC 9:19AM (3/02/2007)
I love the monthly sales numbers. One car website used to give the sales by company by model. I love to see that level of detail. Does anyone know where I might find sales by company by model?
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3cubedminus3squared 7:00PM (3/01/2007)
Ford's new diesels for the Expedition and F-150 can't come soon enough. Let's see how things go when they release the Taurus/Taurus X this summer.
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Phewop118 7:23PM (3/01/2007)
I think the only way Toyota is gaining sales anymore is from rental/fleets sales, as GM and Ford are pulling out of that market. You wouldn't believe the number of rental new camry's i've seen - lots more than privately owned ones, that's for sure.
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Cap'n Jack 7:29PM (3/01/2007)
Jaguar is now just 60% the size of Porsche.
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Phil 7:40PM (3/01/2007)
Pauln:
Nobody's SACRIFICING ANYTHING. People are REALLY excited about the new Saturns like OUTLOOK, and the new VUE and Astra are coming later this year!
When Buick's Enclave hits this summer, Buick sales will fly upward because that car is shockingly beautiful and a real Buick, not a knockoff of some other brand. If they had a short version, Toyota would suffer some defections.
When Chevy's new Malibu gets here, they will also see a shot in the arm, and they went UP in sales, if you can't read. And Siverado is still ramping up, so I don't see them having much trouble this year!
Pontiac's marketing/advertising is so freaking bogus that even with better engines on many of it's cars, nobody REALLY CARES about the 'excitement division'. And it needs a short-wheelbase Lambda CUV to fullfill the sporty/versatile niche like Nissan Murano, but with better pricing. It would be a hit. The G8 will get blood pumping next year, but even it won't be available in large enough numbers to turn Pontiac around. Better steering/handling on the G6 would help too.
LET'S GO RICK & BOB!
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Phil 8:27PM (3/01/2007)
And GM's sales edged up despite MUCH lower fleet sales, which means RETAIL SALES MUST HAVE BEEN UP BIGTIME!
Import fanboys, promise yourself test drives of five all-new GM models this year! You'll see what a rip-off vehicles like Acura RDX really are.
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quagmire 7:52PM (3/01/2007)
I wouldn't call ~3700 sales of the Aura strong. Nice little PR spin there. As an owner of an Aura XR, this vehicle deserves to sell. the highest it has ever been was in December when it sold 5K+. Ever since then a 2 month decline. January 4102 and now in February ~3700 units. GM needs to pick up the advertising of this vehicle. A lot of people still don't know that the Aura exists.
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david 8:32PM (3/01/2007)
The Aura is a great car but needs to have a 4 cly, that is the preferred engine by the majority of people who purchase in the segment. The Outlook is an outstanding vehicle in a very competitive segment and could be the sleeper in the Saturn lineup. The current Vue carried the water for Saturn in Feb, over 11,000 delivered. The number of people who cross shop Saturn, Buick or Pontiac is minimal, many of these sales are to people who would not have purchased a GM product. Should be an interesting year for Saturn.
roar
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Ed 8:40PM (3/01/2007)
Buick will be following Olds into the ground next. It's not a question of if, but when!
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