Hybrids outsell many market segments in 2012, still struggling

Seyth Miersma — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 10:01:00 EST

2012 was a rocking year for hybrid vehicle sales here in the US, and Ward's Auto has written up an interesting piece that breaks some of the sales data down. The number-crunchers have tallied, for instance, that the 427,605 hybrids sold in 2012 is a 64-percent increase on the 261,507 sold in 2011.

Those numbers are big enough to beat out whole other mainstream segment sales, says Ward's, including midsize luxury cars, small crossovers/utility vehicles, and three separate SUV segments.

However, if we step back and take a closer at the real numbers for actual hybrids, the jump that Ward's is highlighting might actually be more a product of a booming market than anything. For instance: the article points out that US market share for "alternative-fuel" vehicles grew from 2.8 percent in 2009 to 3.3 percent in 2012. Of course, diesel vehicle sales from Audi and Volkswagen account for more that 100k of that group, and another 11,000-odd EVs push up that market share, too. (Read the handy AutoblogGreen alt-fuel sales report for the end of 2012, if you want a more complete breakdown.)

All of that means that true hybrid market share was less than three percent for 2012 - and closer to the 2009 levels - despite having a much improved total volume in a much improved car market. That's good news for car makers, for sure, but we're slightly less bullish than Ward's about the pro-hybrid message being sent by US car buyers.

Hybrids outsell many market segments in 2012, still struggling originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Jan 2013 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Analysts predicting up to 14M auto sales in 2012

Zach Bowman — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 17:35:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Etc., Earnings/Financials

Automotive industry analysts are projecting a better sales year in 2012. According to Automotive News, a number of culminating factors could see sales of up to 14 million units next year. That's thanks to factors like decreasing unemployment, improved credit availability and a larger portion of the population looking to replace older vehicles. Don't think that means the overall economy will be any stronger next year, however. According to the studies, buyers have simply grown more callous to news of repeated financial crises and aren't likely to let that news impact their new vehicle purchases. While the ink hasn't dried on 2011's sales figures, the national tally is expected to wind up somewhere around 12.6-12.7 million new car sales.

That view is largely based on a scenario that played out earlier this year. When Congress faced off over the nation's debt ceiling, the Dow Jones Index plummeted by 1,500 points. In the past, that would have translated into decreased auto sales, but the numbers have stayed steady this year.

Throw in pent-up demand from buyers waiting for sunnier economic times and more free-flowing credit and automakers may just meet the 14 million unit mark.

Analysts predicting up to 14M auto sales in 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Dec 2011 17:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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