Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Report: Mitsubishi looking to claw back to 100,000 sales in U.S. in three years]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/26/report-mitsubishi-looking-to-claw-back-to-100-000-sales-in-u-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/26/report-mitsubishi-looking-to-claw-back-to-100-000-sales-in-u-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/26/report-mitsubishi-looking-to-claw-back-to-100-000-sales-in-u-s/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2010 Mitsubishi Outlander GT - Click above for high-res image gallery

When the healthy catches a cold, the sickly contract the flu. Over the past few years, Mitsubishi has been suffering from a degenerative case of bronchial pneumonia, with a side of strep and a nasty rash. In other, less contagious words, Mitsubishi has been faring very poorly during the industry's worst downturn in decades, and it's tough to say if the struggling Japanese automaker will ever leave the intensive care unit.

But to listen to John Koenig, executive vice president of Mitsubishi North America, that will all change over the next few years. Koenig has told Wards Automotive that he sees Mitsubishi hitting 100,000 sales in the U.S. within three years. Mitsubishi only sold 53,986 vehicles in 2009, down 44.5 percent compared to a still depressing 2008, and that's only one sixth of the Japanese automaker's 345,111 U.S. sales in 2002. Koenig says he's had to reassure dealers that Mitsubishi isn't leaving the North American market, adding "that's probably their biggest fear, because they're reading about it in various journals."

To get out of its sales rut, Mitsubishi plans to bolster sales with the help of the 2010 Outlander, a vehicle that we found to be pretty entertaining and capable. Koenig also points to the current Lancer as another vehicle that could help turn sales around.

Will Mitsubishi return to sales of 100,000 units a year in the States? It's difficult to say, really, but given the automaker's performance over the past few years, we're not all that optimistic. The good news though is that most sales problems can easily be cured with good products, and if the Outlander is as good as we think it is we're thinking, Mitsubishi has a shot at staying relevant - though they had better be readying a few new cannons in their arsenal.


Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander GT


[Source: Wards Automotive - sub. req.]

Continue reading Report: Mitsubishi looking to claw back to 100,000 sales in U.S. in three years

Report: Mitsubishi looking to claw back to 100,000 sales in U.S. in three years originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Jan 2010 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 lancer2010 Lancer evolution2010Lancer2010LancerEvolutionEVOevo xEvoXjohn koenigJohnKoeniglancermitsumitsubishimitsubishi salesMitsubishiSalesOutlanderus salesUsSalesTue, 26 Jan 2010 11:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19330851/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/01/26/report-mitsubishi-looking-to-claw-back-to-100-000-sales-in-u-s/19330851/article-detail.xml 19330851 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/outlandergtfd_01_opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/outlandergtfd_01_opt.jpg <![CDATA[REPORT: China passes U.S. in auto sales]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/09/report-china-passes-u-s-in-auto-sales/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/09/report-china-passes-u-s-in-auto-sales/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/09/report-china-passes-u-s-in-auto-sales/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Most of the world has been knee deep in a wicked recession for quite a while, and auto sales have been hit especially hard. Here in the U.S., the numbers have been abysmal, as the first half of the year saw only 4.8 million sales through June. China, on the other hand, is running away with the overall sales lead, as the emerging emerged market has added 6.1 million cars and trucks to its still developing roadways. According to The Associated Press, June sales were up 36% over the same period in 2008, and they're up 17% on the year.

The big winner in the market so far this year appears to be General Motors. The struggling Detroit, MI-based automaker has seen its China sales jump by 38% this year; while its U.S. sales have tanked. Industry analysts are predicting that the overall market for passenger cars in China will be between 10 and 11 million units.

Most experts weren't expecting China to pass the U.S. in overall sales for another decade, but the crumbling American auto industry has expedited the power shift, at least for the short term. With 1.3 billion people and a healthy economy, this day was destined to come.

[Source: The Associated Press via Google]

REPORT: China passes U.S. in auto sales originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Jul 2009 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auto salesAutoSalescar salesCarSaleschinachina car saleschina salesChinaCarSalesChinaSaleschinesechinese car salesChineseCarSalesus salesUsSalesThu, 09 Jul 2009 16:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19092453/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/07/09/report-china-passes-u-s-in-auto-sales/19092453/article-detail.xml 19092453 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/china-us-580x_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/china-us-580x.jpg <![CDATA[Could Ford pass GM in North American production this year?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/22/ford-may-pass-gm-in-north-american-production-this-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/22/ford-may-pass-gm-in-north-american-production-this-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/22/ford-may-pass-gm-in-north-american-production-this-year/#commentsFiled under: , ,



A woeful sales environment and the financial struggles of General Motors and Chrysler will set the auto sales hierarchy on end in 2009. At least that's how IHS Global Insight sees things. The industry analysts at IHS Global Insight see Ford passing GM as the top manufacturer in terms of production for 2009, with 1.9 million North American units at the Blue Oval compared to 1.7 million for GM. The upside-down nature of the IHS rankings continues with Honda placing third with 1.1 million units, followed by Toyota at 904,000 units and Chrysler at number five with 903,000.

IHS is predicting industry-wide sales to come in around 8.4 million units, adjusted downward by 156,000 units from last month. A reason for the cut in outlook could be slower than expected early May sales, a month that typically sees stronger sales than most. IHS predicts that industry sales will continue to lag behind those of past years significantly, with the earliest time frame for an uptick being the end of summer. Industry-wide sales in North America are down 37.8% through April. Hat tip to Thomas!

[Source: Automotive News, sub. req'd | Image: Larry W. Smith/Getty]

Could Ford pass GM in North American production this year? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 May 2009 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fordgmsales leaderSalesLeaderus salesUsSalesFri, 22 May 2009 13:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1553779/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/05/22/ford-may-pass-gm-in-north-american-production-this-year/1553779/article-detail.xml 1553779 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/05/83091042_opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/05/83091042_opt.jpg <![CDATA[Audi and Toyota considering offering smaller cars in the States]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/06/audi-and-toyota-considering-offering-smaller-cars-in-the-states/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/06/audi-and-toyota-considering-offering-smaller-cars-in-the-states/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/06/audi-and-toyota-considering-offering-smaller-cars-in-the-states/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click either image for a high-res gallery

It's been well documented that we Americans have been growing larger, and if the auto manufacturers thinking of bringing their small cars Stateside follow through, we're going to feel like giants. Toyota and Audi are the latest automakers discussing whether to bring smaller transportation for us portly Americans. Audi, who didn't design the A1 concept for US duty, now believes it's a good idea to rethink its original strategy. Audi marketing boss Peter Schwarzenbauer thinks US customers have made a real shift towards smaller cars and trucks, and that the movement has staying power. Audi brass has made no decisions regarding the A1 in the US, but the fact that they're genuinely looking into the matter is a good thing.

Toyota's cleverly packaged iQ is also being considered for sales in the US. A company insider told Automotive News that Toyota was looking into the viability of the iQ in the US. The sharp looking micro car goes on sale in Europe beginning in early 2009, and we wouldn't be surprised if it arrived Stateside some time after that.

Gallery: Audi A1 Sportback LIVE


Gallery: 2009 Toyota iQ


[Source: Automotive News subs req'd]

Audi and Toyota considering offering smaller cars in the States originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Audi A1AudiA1small carSmallCartoyota iqToyotaIqUS salesUsSalesMon, 06 Oct 2008 13:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1334243/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/10/06/audi-and-toyota-considering-offering-smaller-cars-in-the-states/1334243/article-detail.xml 1334243 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/10/01_audi_a1_sportback_live_210op_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/10/01_audi_a1_sportback_live_210op.jpg <![CDATA[BMW to cut jobs and volume in the U.S. next year]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/22/bmw-to-cut-jobs-and-volume-in-the-u-s-next-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/22/bmw-to-cut-jobs-and-volume-in-the-u-s-next-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/22/bmw-to-cut-jobs-and-volume-in-the-u-s-next-year/#commentsFiled under: ,

BMW has achieved sales increases in the US for 16 straight years, but that impressive streak is going to end in 2008. BMW USA CEO Jim O'Donnell has decided to stop shipment of 44,000 vehicles destined for the States by the end of this year. The move was made to prevent pushing increased sales in a down market because too many incentives were needed to entice consumers. The weakness of the US Dollar vs. the euro makes high incentives unprofitable. Some vehicles, like the X3, are coming to the US in smaller numbers even though they are selling well without incentives. Leases are also a cause of concern, with 63% of its vehicles leaving BMW showrooms with a down-payment and a mileage limit. O'Donnell wants to cut that number by 10% or more, and in August, leases were down to 50% of sales.

The German automaker is also looking to cut expenses in the U.S, with plants to slash 90 jobs in the States, along with reducing marketing expenditures. The largest short-term change is that BMW will not end December with a high incentive sales blowout, which means if you're waiting for the big Bimmer sales event, it probably won't happen.

[Source: Automotive News - subs req'd]

BMW to cut jobs and volume in the U.S. next year originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Sep 2008 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BMWproduction cutsProductionCutsUS SalesUsSalesMon, 22 Sep 2008 18:32:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1320468/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/09/22/bmw-to-cut-jobs-and-volume-in-the-u-s-next-year/1320468/article-detail.xml 1320468 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/09/bmw-logo_250op_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/09/bmw-logo_250op.jpg <![CDATA[GM's July beats Ford, Chrysler]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/01/gms-july-beats-ford-chrysler/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/01/gms-july-beats-ford-chrysler/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/01/gms-july-beats-ford-chrysler/#commentsFiled under: ,

Everyone expected July 2006 sales to suffer in comparison to last year's record numbers, pumped up by huge incentives, but it's safe to say that Ford and Chrysler Group's numbers were surprisingly bad, especially in the case of Chrysler, which reinstated Employee Pricing in July (since extending it through August). General Motors was the last to report its July results, and it came out clearly on top of the Big 3, with U.S. sales for the month down a relatively modest 19.5 percent year-over-year.

On a vehicle basis, car sales were down a negligible 0.4 percent, but trucks and light trucks were both over 28 percent below last year's numbers, as the gas price crunch continues to depress SUV and truck sales.

Highlights (or lowlights) for individual models includes the Cadillac STS (down 39.4 percent), all Saab models (the brand was down 43.5 percent), the Corvette (up 55.2 percent), the Chevy Impala (up almost 60 percent), the Cadillac Escalade (down 34.1 percent), the Cadillac SRX (down 36.7 percent), Chevy's Suburban (down 40.5 percent). HUMMER's H3 was up 24.1 percent, while the H2 dropped 48 percent.

Surprisingly, Chevy's small cars didn't do particularly well even in a summer of high gas prices, with Aveo sales flat and Cobalt sales down 9.3 percent.

[Source: GM]

GM's July beats Ford, Chrysler originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Aug 2006 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>july salesJulySalesus salesTue, 01 Aug 2006 15:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/649455/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2006/08/01/gms-july-beats-ford-chrysler/649455/article-detail.xml 649455 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2006/08/gm_logo_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2006/08/gm_logo.jpg <![CDATA[DaimlerChrysler U.S. sales plummet]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/01/daimlerchrysler-u-s-sales-plummet/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/01/daimlerchrysler-u-s-sales-plummet/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/01/daimlerchrysler-u-s-sales-plummet/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Code Blue! Dr. Z to the E.R., stat! DaimlerChrysler released its U.S. sales results for July today, and investors are on life-support.

First the good news: Mercedes-Benz U.S. sales set a July record of 21,591 units, up 4 percent from last year.

Unfortunately, the bad news is really bad. Chrysler Group sales were down an astonishing 37 percent in July, to 150,349 vehicles, despite Chrysler's return to last summer's Employee Pricing, rebates and 0 percent financing.

Overall, DaimlerChrysler sales were down 34 percent.

[Source: Reuters]

DaimlerChrysler U.S. sales plummet originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Aug 2006 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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