By the Numbers: March 2007
Whoa, Mazda, slow down or you're going to hurt yourself. The Zoom Zoom brand was the big winner in March with sales that rose an impressive 42.6%. Other notable gains include Saturn beating last March by 22.5% (and being the only GM brand on the positive side in sales last month) and Mitsubishi, sales for which rose 17.9% over March of 2006. The Battle of the Brands was particularly tight this month, with Ford eeking out a victory over Toyota by around 3,000 units. Toyota itself beat Chevy for the title of second most popular brand in March by just 664 units.
Of the major automakers, Ford Motor Company posted the double-digit loss we were all expecting, while General Motors wasn't able to maintain February's momentum and fell 7.7% from last year's levels. Both Toyota and Nissan (including their luxury brands) rose over 7%, while Nissan posted a respectable gain of almost 4%.
Biggest Winner
Mazda 42.6% at 37,742 (3/06: 25,514)
Biggest Loser
Buick –32.8% at 16,222 (3/06: 23,276)
BRANDS
Acura
–6.5% at 16,986 (3/06: 17,524)Audi
10.6% at 8,020 (3/06: 6,994)BMW
–.33% at 25,325 (3/06: 24,501)Buick
–32.8% at 16,222 (3/06: 23,276)Cadillac
–8.4% at 18,944 (3/06: 19,945)Chevrolet
–6.3% at 213,156 (3/06: 219,288)Chrysler
–15.4% at 51,874 (3/06: 59,133)Dodge
–7.4% at 109,226 (3/06: 113,719)Ford
–13.5% at 216,788 (3/06: 241,642)GMC
–7.9% at 40,894 (3/06: 42,837)Honda
9.5% at 126,406 (3/06 111,282)HUMMER
–23.7% at 4,847 (3/06: 6,125)Hyundai
–3.6% at 41,984 (3/06: 41,766)Infiniti
12.6% at 13,877 (3/06: 11,886)Isuzu
–2.9% at 1,396 (3/06: 1,387)Jaguar
–13.9% at 1,667 (3/06: 1,866)Jeep
.35% at 45,335 (3/06: 43,560)Kia
2.2% at 27,567 (3/06: 26,004)Land Rover
–14.9% at 3,663 (3/06: 4,153)Lexus
.8% at 28,855 (3/06: 27,592)Lincoln
5.9% at 14,770 (3/06: 13,446)Mazda
42.6% at 37,742 (3/06: 25,514)Mercedes
–2.7% at 21,612 (3/06: 21,417)Mercury
–11.1% at 17,426 (3/06: 18,915)MINI
–8.5% at 3,655 (3/06: 3,851)Mitsubishi
17.9% at 12,536 (3/06: 10,250)Nissan
2.8% at 97,242 (3/06: 91,209)Pontiac
–10.1% at 30,448 (3/06: 32,649)Porsche
–.75% at 3,278 (3/06: 3,185)Saab
–15.5% at 2,837 (3/06: 3,239)Saturn
22.5% at 21,123 (3/06: 16,629)Suzuki
–2.3% at 11,030 (3/06: 10,887)Toyota
8.7% at 213,820 (3/06: 189,694)Volkswagen
–19.3% at 17,355 (3/06: 20,730)Volvo
–7.6% at 10,661 (3/06: 11,124)Not yet reported: Subaru
COMPANIES
BMW Group
–1.4% at 28980 (3/06: 28,352)Chrysler Group
–8% at 206,435 (3/06: 216,412)Ford Motor Co
–12.24% at 264,975 (3/06: 291,146)General Motors
–7.7% at 349,867 (3/06: 365,375)Honda America
7.3% at 143,392 (3/06: 128,806)Nissan North America
3.9% at 111,119 (3/06: 103,095)Toyota Motor Co.
7.7% at 242,675 (3/06: 217,286)Note: There were 27 selling days in March 2006 versus 28 selling days in March 2007, so all percentages shown represent the change in a brand or company's Daily Average Sales rate (average number of vehicles sold per day), rather than the change in raw number of vehicles sold.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Mike 6:08PM (4/03/2007)
Toyota is more than 100k units shy of GM, yet are expected to have better sales by year end? Keep trying... analysts have that prediction dead wrong.
Reply
Tony 6:13PM (4/03/2007)
I am so happy that piece of crap Fusion is doing poorly. Of course they say there was a huge percentage increase but 100000% of little bit is still little bit.
Accord sales March 37,337
Camry sales March 42,254
Fusion sales March 15,790 WHICH IS A RECORD!
Im so happy there are Amercicans with brains to stay away from the over-rated Fusion
Reply
Otto Ingineer 6:17PM (4/03/2007)
Mike - The analysts predictions are not Toyota v. GM within the US market (where GM leads and will continue to lead), but # of units sold *globally*.
Reply
Dave 6:17PM (4/03/2007)
#2 you idiot, count the Milan and Zephyr or MKZ with it as well.
It comes to 21,559 which is 50% of Camry so thats not bad at all. Anywaysm Fusion is a 6 year old Mazda platform built in Mexico. I am happy it is running at 50% of Camry. Thats not bad.
Reply
Aaron 6:19PM (4/03/2007)
nice to see the toyota shitboxes polluting rental lots these days LMAO!!!
Mike, they are talking worldwide production I think.
Oh and speaking of which, congrats to toyota with that said for selling 13 thousand tundras lol..
I wonder how much of Mazda's success comes from fleet as well, as I see many many rental 3s these days..
I wonder if the lemmings will mock the imports for selling to rentals, like they did the domestics..
Reply
Bob 6:26PM (4/03/2007)
Wait till April. The Tundra will be in full swing. Jim Press from Toyota said that April 1st is the start date for watching the tundra perform. March was still 12% up but not enough new trucks and depleted old trucks.
Too bad F-Series dropped 15.1%. I hope Ford gets some high horespower engines in there soon. Silverado and Tundra will eat its lunch. Even the 4.8 in the Silverado has almost as much HP as the 5.4 top engine from Ford. And the 4.6 and 4.2 are a joke.
I like My F-250 but I may get a Tundra or a Sierra next. A 6.2 Sierra would be insane!
Reply
That One Person 6:25PM (4/03/2007)
#2 Tony...Yeah, cuz the Camry is so much better. You will be fine with straightline performance but hit some curves and the Fusion will pull ahead. And after reading reviews in a few magazines and on some websites and test driving one, I dont understand how those people with brains can stand such a vehicle. The last generation Camry was such a better vehicle. Now, the Accord on the other hand. For a vehicle it's age, it's still damn fun to drive. Especially a V-6 model with a manual transmission.
Anyways, according to other news sources, Ford is only down 9%
Reply
Albert 6:26PM (4/03/2007)
Ford should just die. GM and Chrysler could easily pick up the slack. I am sick of George Pipas from Ford coming out every single month giving a spin on the sales numbers and saying how a turnaround is just around the corner. Call a duck a duck. Ford should either shut the doors, or dump half the company and have 4 vehicles. Thats it. F-series, Mustang, Explorer, and Fusion. Can the rest. They dont invest in them anyway. Just look at the Ranger and Freestar.
Reply
owen 6:27PM (4/03/2007)
GOOD JOB TOYOTA!CONGRATS
Reply
Lithious 6:34PM (4/03/2007)
Test drove a 4 cylinder Fusion the other day and I must say i was very disappointed. Totally gutless. Same engine as the Mazda 3 that weighs 420 lbs less.
Drove a Accord 4 cylinder and was very surprised at its smoothness and refineness. I still haven't bought a car, but I must say i dont know what the fuss is all about with the Fusion. You would think its the second coming of Jesus or something.
Reply
Adam500 6:40PM (4/03/2007)
Considering most 50% of America is biased towards domestics and even if the Big Three gave them junk they would still open their wallets and buy it, I am suprised the Fusion, Edge, and even the new GM CUVs haven't done well.
I mean this is the General we talking about. How come they sell 2321 Saturn Outlooks and 7399 GMC Acadia when Honda sells 14,000 Pilots? A truck that is 4 years old. On the old Odyssey platform. Which was based on the old Accord platform of 1998.
WOW I am shocked. I know these new CUVs are heavy at 4500-5000 lbs and heavily tax the 3.5-3.6 engines they have, but still they are decent. I personally Like the Acadia.
As for Ford, nothing intrests me there. At least the General has exciting new products.
Reply
Mike 6:43PM (4/03/2007)
Tony you are a turd, Albert- you haven't been paying attention.
The Fusion increases it's sales number almost every month, how long did it take Camry and Accord to get to where they are?
Edge is also a good vehicle. The Flex is coming out next year to replace the minivan and the Taurus has the upgrades the 500 needed (little more aggresive looks, more power, more features).
The Sync will be available this fall and on all vehicles by spring, they have a b-class car in the works and the Mustang and F150 will be refreshed within the next two years. Expedition has done well since the redesign (as well as it can considering fuel prices) and their manufacturing capacity is more in line with demand. Rumor has it there will be more powerful gas engines with better economy for trucks and a V6 Diesel for half tons.
Considering all the pain they've felt lately, they are about 1 year behind GM in their turnaround so we will start seeing the numbers come around in about a year to 18 months- which is what their plan has called for.
I just savor the day when Fusion overtakes Accord, then Camry. Tundra will never overtake F-Series.
Reply
The Other Dave 6:45PM (4/03/2007)
Go GM Go!
Keep the emphasis on the product. As long as Mullaly just walks around selling cars, talking to people, asking questions, and taking his time while Ford burns, you have a chance GM!!
Keep the products rolling. I also admire you from withholding bonuses. Mullaly got 6.5 million bucks more inshares after 6 months for doing nothing! Thats after the 19 million signing bonus!
Good job GM!
Reply
st.patrick 6:47PM (4/03/2007)
#6 i also saw it was only 9% down for Ford on other websites as well.
Reply
Aki 6:50PM (4/03/2007)
Lol, expect nothing but domestic drivel from Aaron and Mike. Good to see you guys turning any news story into an insecure, jingoistic grudge match.
Reply
Gilly 6:59PM (4/03/2007)
Mike #12
I think you are the Turd. Unlike your lovely Ford, Toyota and Honda dont drop brands and Names like rock into a well. Why you saying the Fusion is 1 year old? Its basically a Taurus. They neglected the Taurus. The Fusion was the Taurus replacement. So they have actually had 25 years to make a decent car. But they cant because they are incompetent.
Now they are rushing to call another dying car the Taurus. The 500 is running 70% below 2005 sales right now. Trust me the new engine will not save it. And changing the headlights will not either.
Reply
st.patrick 6:51PM (4/03/2007)
#11 How can you say that the Fusion and Edge have not done that well. The Fusion exceeds its sales goals and has been steadily increasing each month. The Edge sold a little over 10000 units in March and it has only been on the market for 3 full months now.
Reply
Joe 7:01PM (4/03/2007)
If you are in the market for a new car here are the best in each class. Not my opinion but the opinion of journalists, consumers, mechanics, and anyone else not blinded by patriotic prejudice:
Small Car CIVIC
Medium Car ACCORD
large car AVALON
Small SUV CRV
Minivan Odyssey
Small Truck Tacoma
Large Truck Silverado
Big Van Sprinter
There is no Ford remotely close to any of these. F-150 came fifth in Car and driver, consumer choice, road and track, and all other.
GM and Chrysler come close on some. But Ford is a Joke and has nothing decent in the pipeline.
They should spend the 18 billion cash and pay everyone off and close down.
Reply
Jason 7:09PM (4/03/2007)
Looks like Hyundai actually increased in sales. Your numbers say they increased but your arrows say they decreased. WTF
Reply
Gehina 7:10PM (4/03/2007)
St. Patrick, Dont you think a realistic expectation of the second largest manufacturer in its home country of 104 years should have a midsize car that beats a foreign plates midsize in sales?
Should the Fusion not have a goal of 35,000 cars a month? Does it not compete with Camry and Accord? Why would 15,000 be beyond expectations? this is not Kia or Suzuki. Its Ford.
Reply