Autoblog

Car dealerships selling more cars per store than ever before

Jeff Sabatini — Sun, 19 Aug 2012 12:33:00 EST

A consulting firm has boosted its auto sales estimate for 2012 to 14.3 million vehicles, but the big news is that, in aggregate, dealers are again making money selling cars.

Bloomberg reports that annual sales per dealer will jump to 805 vehicles according to Urban Science. That would be a new record, as despite this year's total sales number being some four million units shy of 2007 levels, there are far fewer car dealers in operation today.

The previous record was set in 2005, when the figure was 784 vehicles sold per dealer, according to the report. Both Chrysler and General Motors shed hundreds of franchises during their bankruptcies, but dealership ranks shrunk independent of that fact. Urban Science says the number of car dealers usually shrinks by about 2 percent each year, according to the report.

Car dealerships selling more cars per store than ever before originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 19 Aug 2012 12:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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May 2012: Too Good To Be True Edition

John Neff — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 15:44:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, By the Numbers

Toyota and Honda Outperform Against Backdrop of Earthquake-Related Shortages

Without context, one might think that sales for the U.S. automotive industry in May were off-the-charts good. Look at brands like Toyota and Honda, sales of which were up an astonishing 88.9 and 46.0 percent, respectively. Or look at Chrysler, up an equally incredible 82.34 percent. We're back, baby! Right? Not quite.

The performance of Toyota and Honda, as well as luxury brands Lexus and Acura, can be explained by the fact that one year ago coincides with two months after Japan was rocked with earthquakes and tsunamis that knocked out most of the country's domestic automobile production. By May, Japanese automakers, particularly Toyota and Honda, were running out of inventory to sell that couldn't be replaced. Toyota sales in the U.S. fell nearly 32 percent in May 2011 and Honda by 22.4 percent. Thus, both these automakers are about to put together a string of months that show industry-leading sales increases, but only because those sales are being compared to last summer's drought.

Likewise, Chrysler and Dodge just hadn't hit their sales stride yet at this time last year when sales of all of Chrysler Group were up only 10 percent, buoyed by solid performances from Ram and particularly Jeep. With all of four of its brands now operating on all cylinders, the Chrysler Group finished last month up over 30 percent from May 2011.

And yet, despite all of these positive numbers, despite even General Motors and Ford posting solid increases of 10.9 and 12.6 percent respectively after both experienced dips in April, the industry as a whole is not performing as well as analysts would like. With only a couple brands left to report, it's looking like the seasonally adjusted annualized rate of sales will fall well below analysts' estimates of 14.4 million units, settling somewhere in the range of 13.8 million units, the worst estimate so far this year.

Check out how the entire auto industry did in the monthly sales chart below, and visit our By the Numbers section to see all past months.

*Brands and companies are displayed in descending order according to their percentage change in volume sales. There were 26 selling days in May 2012 versus 24 selling days in May 2011, so the change in monthly sales volume will be different than the change in average daily sales rate (DSR) for each brand/company. Also, brands are combined and reported as companies only if their sales figures are released jointly.

May 2012: Too Good To Be True Edition originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 15:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 U.S. auto sales on pace to be best in five years

Zach Bowman — Thu, 10 May 2012 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Chrysler, Ford, GM, Toyota, Earnings/Financials

Bloomberg reports that if U.S. auto sales continue at their current pace, 2012 will mark the best year for the industry since 2007. The news comes after word that both Ford and Chrysler have slimmed or entirely eliminated the traditional summer shutdown at their manufacturing facilities to keep pace with demand.

All told, sales may reach 14.3 million cars and light trucks, according to analysts, thanks to factors like a gradually improving economy and easier credit. If the pace continues, 2012 will mark the third year of 10-percent gains, which marks only the fourth time that's happened since the Great Depression.

Car sales stalled in 2008, and 2009 saw manufacturers move just 10.4 million units. As Bloomberg points out, that's the lowest number since 1982, but buyers took home 11.6 million vehicles in 2010 and 12.8 million in 2011. The industry saw a 10.3-percent increase through the first four months of this year. As a result, General Motors, Ford and Toyota have adjusted their yearly sales forecasts accordingly.

2012 U.S. auto sales on pace to be best in five years originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 May 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hyundai quarterly profit up 46% to $1.75B

Chris Shunk — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 10:56:00 EST

Filed under: Hyundai, Earnings/Financials

Hyundai has had a big year, and the results are showing in the form of healthy profits. According to BusinessWeek, the Korean automaker earned $1.75 billion in the first quarter, up 46 percent versus the first quarter of 2010. Overall revenue was up 21 percent to $17 billion.

Sales volume was higher as well, as the 922,000 units sold globally represented a nine percent increase. Much of that increase occurred in plants in the U.S. and China, where output climbed by 14 percent. A richer model mix also buoyed Hyundai's profits, as pricing per model rose by an impressive 14 percent in overseas markets and 2.5 percent in its Korean home market.

Hyundai's impressive quarterly performance helped rally stocks in Korea, and the automaker saw a 7.5 percent gain on the day. For the year, Hyundai's share price has risen a meteoric 44 percent.

[Source: BusinessWeek | Image: Zach Bowman/AOL]

Hyundai quarterly profit up 46% to $1.75B originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Apr 2011 10:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NADA projects 11.3% rise in auto sales in 2011

Jeff Glucker — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 12:05:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Etc.

The US Auto Industry may be looking at a 2011 filled with sales gains, if NADA's forecasters are correct. The National Automobile Dealer's Association predicts that US auto sales will rise 11.3 percent. That puts total volume just shy of 13 million units.

The reason for the increase? The average age of cars and trucks on the road is approximately 10.3 years. Therefore, the increased sales will be driven by consumer needs rather than desires. Basically, people will have to upgrade their heaps for something shiny and new (and running).

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req. | Image: Kevork Djansezian/Getty]

NADA projects 11.3% rise in auto sales in 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 09 Jan 2011 12:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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By the Numbers - April 2010: Don't Count Chrysler Out Edition

John Neff — Mon, 03 May 2010 16:31:00 EST

Filed under: By the Numbers

Chrysler comes roaring back

Sure, Chrysler Group sales were up an astonishing 25 percent last month and its dealer network deserves a pat on the back for clearly working their backsides off in April. That said, let's not forget the low bar that Chrysler had set for itself last year. Heading into bankruptcy, Chrysler Group sales in April 2009 were nearly 50% worse than 2008. Thus, it was inevitable when industry sales began to rise in 2010 that Chrysler would beat its poor performance in 2009. Imagine what they could do with new products to sell?

By and large the entire U.S. auto industry enjoyed positive sales last month, with (shocker!) Chrysler and Dodge posting the best performances by brand. Subaru, per usual, is right up there with a near 50% sales increase (thank you, Outback).

The number of double-digit percent increases in sales is perhaps the most telling bit of info to take away from this month's chart. Only 13 brands did not have double-digit increases, and four of those were still single-digit increases while another three are shuttered brands from General Motors. Buyers are clearly in a buying mood. At this point, which automaker gets the sale comes down to either who has the newest product or offers the most aggressive incentives.

Brand	Vol. %	Apr-10	Apr-09	DSR %*	Apr-10	Apr-09
Chrysler	61.35	22,386	13,874	61.35	861	534
Dodge	61.18	38,795	24,070	61.18	1,492	926
Subaru	48.24	23,198	15,649	48.24	892	602
Infiniti	46.21	7,211	4,932	46.21	277	190
Volkswagen	42.03	23,135	16,289	42.03	890	627
Buick	36.44	12,181	8,928	36.44	469	343
Cadillac	35.74	11,317	8,337	35.74	435	321
Land Rover	34.56	2,749	2,043	34.56	106	79
Nissan	33.84	56,558	42,258	33.84	2,175	1,625
Audi	32.94	9,319	7,010	32.94	358.42	269.62
Hyundai	29.66	44,023	33,952	29.66	1,693	1,306
Lexus	29.33	18,359	14,195	29.33	706	546
Ford	26.08	146,589	116,263	26.08	5,638	4,472
Toyota	23.80	139,080	112,345	23.80	5,349	4,321
Lincoln	21.87	7,279	5,973	21.87	280	230
Acura	21.63	10,719	8,813	21.63	412	339
Mercedes	21.03	17,628	14,565	21.03	678	560
Mercury	19.13	9,128	7,662	19.13	351	295
GMC	18.36	24,224	20,467	18.36	932	787
Chevrolet	17.44	135,369	20,467	17.44	5,207	4,433
Mazda	17.32	18,935	16,139	17.32	728	621
Kia	17.30	30,036	25,606	17.30	1,155	985
Honda	11.67	102,978	92,216	11.67	3,961	3,547
BMW	9.95	17,268	15,705	9.95	664	604
Mini	5.09	3,843	3,657	5.09	148	141
Volvo	0.95	4,546	4,503	0.95	175	173
Mitsubishi	0.33	3,932	3,919	0.33	151	151
Jeep	-0.13	19,645	19,670	-0.13	756	757
Porsche	-5.72	1,747	1,853	-5.72	67	71
Ram	-21.98	14,877	19,068	-21.98	572	733
Suzuki	-23.32	1,950	2,543	-23.32	75	98
Jaguar	-30.05	896	1,281	-30.05	34	49
(Hummer)	-47.32	481	913	-47.32	19	35
Smart	-49.44	680	1,345	-49.44	26	52
(Saturn)	-94.94	373	7,367	-94.94	14	283
(Pontiac)	-99.52	52	10,838	-99.52	2	417
Saab	NA	-	-	-	-	-
COMPANIES
Nissan NA	35.13	63,769	47,190	35.13	2,453	1,815
Chrysler Group	24.81	95,703	76,682	24.81	3,681	2,949
Ford Mo Co	24.66	167,542	134,401	24.66	6,444	5,169
Toyota Mo Co	24.42	157,439	126,540	24.42	6,055	4,867
GM Core	19.67	183,091	152,997	19.67	7,042	5,885
Honda NA	12.54	113,697	101,029	12.54	4,373	3,886
Jag/Land Rover	9.66	3,645	3,324	9.66	140	128
BMW Group	9.03	21,111	19,362	9.03	811.96	744.69
General Motors	6.35	183,997	173,007	6.35	7,077	6,654

*Brands and companies are displayed in descending order according to their percentage change in volume sales. There were 26 selling days in April 2010 and 26selling days in April 2009, so the change in monthly sales volume will equal the change in the average daily sales rate (DSR) for each brand/company.

By the Numbers - April 2010: Don't Count Chrysler Out Edition originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 May 2010 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Were more cars sold in China than in the U.S. last month? GM thinks so...

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 10:29:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Trends, China, GM

When you need to reach 46 years into America's past to find comparable auto industry numbers, it's all right to start thinking "Maybe this is pretty serious..." Various estimates of January 2009 U.S. car sales hover around 660,000. According to General Motors executive Mike DiGiovanni, that's "the lowest January in terms of unit sales since 1963."

A year ago, in January 2008, there were a little more than a million cars sold in the U.S. In view this year's decline, it's no wonder more cars were sold in China than in the U.S. last month. If GM's stab at preliminary numbers holds up (DiGiovanni puts Chinese sales at 790,000) - it would be the first time ever that China's car market has outsold America's. We'll know the official results when Chinese sales figures become available.

[Source: Auto News, sub req'd]

Were more cars sold in China than in the U.S. last month? GM thinks so... originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Feb 2009 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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U.S. car sales in the doldrums to infinity until 2012 and beyond

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 17:34:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Plants/Manufacturing, Earnings/Financials

There were about three million fewer cars sold in 2008 than 2007. Based on 2007's numbers, it would be the same as if Acura, Audi, BMW, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Lexus, MINI, Porsche, and Saab all closed their doors in 2008. In terms of pure automotive carnage, that's not the kind of damage you can just buff out. And the predictions for the future agree on two points: it's going to get worse, and it won't return to what it was for years to come.

The only difference in the predictions of gloom is exactly how long things are going to stay depressed. Everyone agrees that the vertiginous sales drop in Q4 of 2008 is going to continue at least until the middle of 2009. Some, though, think that 2009 will "look a lot like 2008, but in reverse," with a slight sales rebound possible in the latter half. That prediction depends on the size of the proposed economic stimulus package, and whether it actually stimulates the economy. After all, banks received their own stimulus packages, yet getting a loan is as hard as ever.

Others say we are "entering a prolonged period of conservation." One analyst predicts that U.S. car sales won't see the north side of 15 million in annual sales until "2012 or later," while another said that we won't see 16 million annual sales again "for the forseeable future." Naturally, with such conservation comes other cuts, like R&D budgets and model facelifts, that could mean the cars on offer won't be as interesting or as cutting edge as before. While that could be looked at as a benefit, saving manufacturers the need to put new redesigned cars in showrooms every three years, the necessary auto industry infrastructure changes (plant closers, layoffs, etc.), the certain extinction of some companies, and the uncertain future are going to hurt.

[Source: IHT]

U.S. car sales in the doldrums ~~to infinity~~ until 2012 and beyond originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Jan 2009 17:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen, Porsche post strong U.S. sales

Stuart Waterman — Tue, 04 Apr 2006 11:34:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, Porsche, Volkswagen

March sales in the U.S. for the two German brands showed strong gains, with VW sales up nearly 24 percent while premium brand Porsche posted its best-ever March sales.

Volkswagen sales totaled 20,730 units in March, which brings total sales for the first quarter of 2006 to 53,296 units, up 24.3 percent year-over-year. New models helped, with the new Golf GTI ringing the register 2,073 times in March, a six-fold improvement over March 2005. Other VW stars in March were the Jetta, up 25.3 percent, and the Passat, up 40.9 percent.

At the premium end of the car sales spectrum, Porsche sales rose 13 percent to 3,363 units, setting a record for the month.

[Source: Reuters]

Volkswagen, Porsche post strong U.S. sales originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Apr 2006 11:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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