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By the Numbers: August 2007
You didn't think we forgot to report the numbers, did you? We imagine some automakers wish we had, for instance Jaguar and Mercury, which share our Biggest Loser honor this month by dropping an identical 20.2% in sales. Another of Ford's brands, Land Rover, was the Biggest Winner, jumping 32.2% in sales last month versus August 2006. Kudos to General Motors for pulling out a 5.3% increase in sales thanks to a big effort by Chevrolet (up 8.6%) and GMC (up 21.2%) that offset losses at the automaker's other brands. FoMoCo, meanwhile, took a hit by dropping 14.4% in sales (thanks Biggest Losers!). Even Toyota felt the crunch, slipping 2.8% in sales last month despite Lexus being up 3.6%. The newly christened Chrysler LLC reported a 6.0% fall in sales, with Dodge, Jeep and Chrysler brands all reporting lower sales last month versus 2006.
Overall, August 2007 seemed like a mixed bag for automakers, with some pulling out a victory (GM, Honda, Nissan, BMW) and others taking it on the chin (Ford, Toyota, Chrysler). This makes it hard to label August 2007 a good or bad month for the industry, but at least it's in the bag.
Biggest Winner
Land Rover 32.2% at 4,853 (08/06: 3,671)Biggest Loser
Jaguar –20.2% at 1,359 (08/06: 1,704)Mercury –20.2% at 12,296 (08/06: 15,417)BRANDS
Acura –10% at 16,436 (08/06: 18,263)Audi 7.1% at 7,620 (08/06: 7,115)BMW 18.5% at 26,562 (08/06:22,421)Buick –15.4% at 19,324 (08/06: 22,853)Cadillac –2.8 at 19,481 (08/06: 20,036)Chevrolet 8.6% at 229,012 (08/06: 210,860)Chrysler –7.0% at 43,650 (08/06: 47,132)Dodge –8.0% at 82,841 (08/06: 89,790)Ford –16.1% at 180,282 (08/06:214,759)GMC 21.2% at 51,222 (08/06: 42,262)Honda 6.7% at 141,906 (08/06: 132,990)HUMMER –15.4% at 5,677 (08/06: 6,711)Hyundai 1.0% at 45,087 (08/06: 44,635)Infiniti 8.7% at 10,252 (08/06: 9,429)Jaguar –20.2% at 1,359 (08/06: 1,704)Jeep –1.0% at 41,712 (08/06: 42,243)Kia 7.0% at 26,874 (08/06: 25,114)Land Rover 32.2% at 4,853 (08/06: 3,671)Lexus 3.6% at 32,199 (08/06: 31,074)Lincoln 16.1% at 10,423 (08/06:8,979)Mercedes 1.8% at 20,980 (08/06: 20,602)Mercury –20.2% at 12,296 (08/06: 15,417)MINI 25.4% at 4,077 (08/06: 3,252)Mitsubishi 19% at 13,020 (08/06: 10,954)Nissan 6.0% at 85,275 (08/06: 80,419)Pontiac –1.0% at 39,324 (08/06: 39,711)Porsche 6.0% at 2,548 (08/06: 2,397)Saab –5.0% at 3,011 (08/06: 3,168)Saturn –4.2% at 21,117 (08/06: 22,050)Subaru –7.5% at 16,573 (08/06: 17,809)Suzuki 6.0% at 8,916 (08/06: 8,399)Toyota –3.7% at 201,272 (08/06: 209,104)Volkswagen –7.5% at 21,655 (08/06: 23,420)Volvo 13.8% at 9,119 (08/06: 10,582)NA: Mazda
COMPANIES
BMW Group 19.3% at 30,639 (08/06: 25,673)Chrysler Group –6.0% at 168,203 (08/06: 179,165)Ford Motor Co –14.4% at 218,332 (08/06: 255,112)General Motors 5.3% at 388,168 (08/06: 368,776)Honda America 4.7% at 158,342 (08/06: 151,253)Nissan North America 6.3% at 95,527 (08/06: 89,848)Toyota Motor Co. –2.8% at 233,471 (08/06: 240,178)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
connor 10:13AM (9/05/2007)
not surprised lincoln sales are up, i have seen so many mkxs around its unbelievable, and when i went to my dealer to get my car checked they were sold out..
to me why would ford sell land rover? they have seen higher sales a lot this year, and with xf jaguar will probably see sales higher next year so why dont they just wait?
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AlexP 10:18AM (9/05/2007)
I'm guessing mainly the Acadia is responsible for pushing GMC's sales up.
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bizz1441 10:42AM (9/05/2007)
Even without the Acadia, GMC sales were still up. The Sierra was up by a good margin too.
Barney 5:09PM (9/05/2007)
I read that GM has sold more pickups in this quarter. It was also noted that this was due to cash incentives.
Woodenduck 10:44AM (9/05/2007)
As some predicted, the Japanese assault on the American market is starting to show signs of stalling out. GM's unit sales actually rose while mighty Toyota's unit sales actually dropped. And this is happening at a time when the Big 3 are drastically reducing their unit fleet sales. Interesting.
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bizz1441 10:47AM (9/05/2007)
I'd like to actually see proof that they are reducing fleet sales. It seems they are only doing it on a month to month basis. Ford was the only manufacturer to actually say in it's press release that it decreased fleet sales for the month.
Woodenduck 11:14AM (9/05/2007)
To bizz1441: The Chrysler Group reduced its fleet sales by about 80% in units going from July, 2007 to August, 2007. You have access to the internet. You can do your own research.
bizz1441 11:18AM (9/05/2007)
Or you can just make up your own numbers and claim whatever you want
YouFaceTheTick 10:49AM (9/05/2007)
How much is GM spending to sell each vehicle? What incentives, special financing and dealer trunk money is there?
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bizz1441 10:57AM (9/05/2007)
According to Edmunds, GM, Chrysler and Toyota were up while Ford, Honda and Nissan were down with reguards to incentive spending. GM Ford and Chrysler still spent about three times as much as Honda, Nissan, and Toyota.
http://www.autoobserver.com/2007/09/utomakers-spend.html#more
the marais 10:52AM (9/05/2007)
Three comments:
(1) Why are BMW and Audi so up month after month these days? I knew that the rich/poor gap was expanding in this country, but had no idea it was this bad.
(2) Ford better have some interesting model year 2008 products. If it takes this 2007 lineup into 2008 without any "new," it is in deep deep trouble.
(3) 2007 was when GM's sedans (Aura, Malibu) finally caught up to Toyota/Honda. In 2009/10, GM better one-up them. Of course, everyone in the industry is complaining that "oh, GM sold alot of cars in August because it dumped inventory into rental car lots." To lose rental car status, you have to produce non-rental-looking cars. Radically restyle, or dump, the G6, G5, and Cobalt.
However, at the opposite end, Toyota and Honda dumping their cars into rental lots does not seem to erode the public perception of these vehicles' quality or status. Catch-22 for GM if you ask me.
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amicus130 12:19PM (9/05/2007)
I believe Mazda sales were up 11%. I got that info yesterday so not sure why it was considered N/A.
jscro2 11:06AM (9/05/2007)
I don't think it's the really rich people driving sales at BMW and Audi. i think it's middle class people buying the 3 series and the A4.
FLR 11:27AM (9/05/2007)
I rented a G6 and drove 1,200 miles this past weekend through MI, OH and PA. The G6 was a great car, far better than I expected. As a matter of fact, I loved driving it. I normally drive a 400 rwhp Trans Am.
The G6 handled very flat, especially through the Pittsburgh curves (had 17" Continentals). It was quiet on the highway. It had plenty of power whether on the surface or highway streets. The radio kicked butt and had controls on the steering wheel. The trunk was HUGE and easily swallowed up our luggage. The brakes were fantastic and saved me from getting a ticket on the Ohio Turnpike (pesky troopers using LIDAR, saw him before he fired). I liked the interior a lot too. The chrome accents were a nice touch. Oh, no rattles or squeeks either. The seats had a nice grippy fabric and not once did my back hurt during any of my four 4 hour drives. This was a rental car with 20k on clock when I got it.
I'm really not sure why the G6 gets slammed by people. Go drive one, you might be surprised!
icu812ru469 1:21PM (9/05/2007)
You said "go drive one"... but question is, would you BUY one?
FLR 1:43PM (9/05/2007)
Good point. I would not buy one because I make a few more $$$ than that car is marketed toward. However, I'm looking at buying it's big brother the Pontiac G8. I'm also considering a Corvette or Caddy CTS. Need to see what the wife buys first.
voodoobru 2:40PM (9/05/2007)
i haven't heard of honda dumping cars into rentals. source?
Notice me - I'm a rich white guy 10:57AM (9/05/2007)
Just wait until the Malibu starts eating away at Camry sales. With GM's quality rising and Toyota's quality falling, this does not bode well for the folks from Japan.
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Henry 11:01AM (9/05/2007)
Mazda? Where are the Mazda numbers?
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I3ziko 11:14AM (9/05/2007)
yeah!? where is mazda!?