It doesn't really have a name, but the meteorological events in January that caused record-breaking low temperatures across most of the Midwestern United States and Canada is being blamed for many automakers' sales woes last month. The dangerous temperatures, which were colder even than what the North and South Pole were experiencing at the time, kept potential buyers bundled up indoors rather than walking the floors of dealerships shopping for new cars and trucks.
Worst hit were the industry's largest automakers that deal in the highest volumes of sales. American Honda, for instance, reported sales in January that were down 2.13 percent to 91,631 units. Likewise, Ford Motor Company was down 7.12 percent, Toyota Motor Sales down 7.20 percent, and General Motors, the largest automaker by volume, was down 11.92 percent, selling 23,213 fewer vehicles than January of last year.
While those major auto companies were down as a whole, many luxury brands bucked the trend by reporting positive sales. Lincoln sales were up 42.52 percent thanks to the MKZ, while Jaguar reported a 30.9-percent increase, Infiniti was up 26.27 percent and Acura sales rose 14.06 percent.
Of the major brands, Jeep stood out as a bright spot, reporting an increase of 30.9 percent on a strong month of sales for the new Cherokee. Ram also did well for itself, recording a sales increase of 24.04 percent, and the unstoppable Subaru kept improving with an increase of 19.29 percent, thanks in large part to two of its models best suited for winter warfare: the Forester and XV Crosstrek. Maserati enjoyed the best month-over-month increase thanks to its new Quattroporte and Ghibli sedans, up a stratospheric 229.6 percent.
The rest of the numbers are below, and you can view more from the past in our By the Numbers archive.
*Brands and companies are displayed in descending order according to their percentage change in volume sales. There were 25 selling days in January 2014 and 25 selling days in January 2013, so there is no difference between the change in monthly sales volume and 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.
Worst hit were the industry's largest automakers that deal in the highest volumes of sales. American Honda, for instance, reported sales in January that were down 2.13 percent to 91,631 units. Likewise, Ford Motor Company was down 7.12 percent, Toyota Motor Sales down 7.20 percent, and General Motors, the largest automaker by volume, was down 11.92 percent, selling 23,213 fewer vehicles than January of last year.
While those major auto companies were down as a whole, many luxury brands bucked the trend by reporting positive sales. Lincoln sales were up 42.52 percent thanks to the MKZ, while Jaguar reported a 30.9-percent increase, Infiniti was up 26.27 percent and Acura sales rose 14.06 percent.
Of the major brands, Jeep stood out as a bright spot, reporting an increase of 30.9 percent on a strong month of sales for the new Cherokee. Ram also did well for itself, recording a sales increase of 24.04 percent, and the unstoppable Subaru kept improving with an increase of 19.29 percent, thanks in large part to two of its models best suited for winter warfare: the Forester and XV Crosstrek. Maserati enjoyed the best month-over-month increase thanks to its new Quattroporte and Ghibli sedans, up a stratospheric 229.6 percent.
The rest of the numbers are below, and you can view more from the past in our By the Numbers archive.
*Brands and companies are displayed in descending order according to their percentage change in volume sales. There were 25 selling days in January 2014 and 25 selling days in January 2013, so there is no difference between the change in monthly sales volume and 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.
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