US Vehicle Sales

[Mitlov]

I want some of whatever Artic is smoking.

Anyway, I've got a new theory about Hummer.  Yes, rising gas prices are a big part of its sales freefall.  But I think there might also be a second dynamic at work.  Hummers have always sold on image--their connection with the US Army Humvee.  The thing is, over the past two years, the Humvee's image has been dragged through the mud.  It's been a disaster in Iraq.  First it was the unarmored Humvee scandal, but even with armor, a LOT of troops have been dying in Humvees.  I've heard that more soldiers are currently being killed in Humvees than in all other situations combined (partly due to the inherent nature of fighting IED-using urban insurgents, and partly because the Humvee just plain isn't suited to urban environments), though I'm not 100% sure that statistic is accurate.

Anyway, the Humvee's image is no longer a good one.  The vehicles with good reputations nowadays are Strykers and MRAPs such as the Cougar, not the Humvee.

I wonder if there's a way to see if that's part of the Hummer sales freefall, or whether it's really just gas prices.

[tpl]

Or could it also be the dilution of the Hummer brand  with re badged  GM suvs calling themselves Hummers?
H2 and H3 are both fugly and gross IMHO whereas the real thing is an interesting vehicle.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

June '08...

[carcrazy]

Wow!... What a dramatic drop in the SUV sales, including the small ones. Honda and Toyota haven't been spared by this trend.
The Forester is one of the few to post gains.

[airbalancer]

SRX and M class is up

[sirAQUAMAN64]

July '08...

[Rupert]

I saw a RV bus with a Hummer being towed behind for use when parked. I suppose that the Hummer could have been being delivered somewhere.

[conwelpic]

- Ford, Lincoln and Mercury sales totaled 116,734, down 34 percent versus
                                 year ago.
  - Weakening economy, tight credit and cautious consumers pulled Ford and
           industry sales in September to lowest level this year.
 - Ford Flex crossover and Lincoln MKS sedan post highest retail shares in
                                 September.
                - Ford readies for launch of all-new F-150.

    DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ford, Lincoln and
Mercury dealers reported total sales of 116,734 in September, down 34
percent versus a year ago.

    September was the lowest sales month for Ford and the industry this
year.

    "Consumers and businesses are in a very fragile place," said Jim
Farley, Ford group vice president, Marketing and Communications. "An
already weak economy compounded by very tight credit conditions has created
an atmosphere of caution."

    The national marketing launch for the Ford Flex crossover and Lincoln
MKS sedan began in September. Both new products have steadily increased
their share of segment. The Ford Flex has the highest conquest rate of any
Ford product (except for Escape Hybrid), and also is attracting the highest
rate of premium and import buyers. The Lincoln MKS ranks third in the
mid-size luxury car segment behind only the BMW 5-Series and the Mercedes
Benz E-Class.

    The 2009 model Ford F-150 has class leading capability (11,300 pounds
towing and 3,030 pounds payload) and unsurpassed fuel economy of 21 mpg
highway with the SFE package.

    "The sell down of the current model F-150 is ahead of schedule, and the
first shipments of the new F-150 will arrive soon at Ford dealers," said
Farley.

    Ford's F-Series is America's No. 1 selling truck for 31 years in a row
and the new F-150 is designed and engineered to raise the bar in the
light-duty pickup market.

    Note: The sales data included in this release and the accompanying
tables are based largely on data reported by dealers representing their
sales to retail and fleet customers.

[initial_D]

The Ford Flex has the highest conquest rate of any
Ford product (except for Escape Hybrid), and also is attracting the highest
rate of premium and import buyers.

Conquest rate ... That does not tell people how many Flex's Ford is selling, or how well it actually sells on the market comparing to the competition. Marketing wording BS, even the sales report is full of it!

[conwelpic]

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Oct. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Motor America
today announced sales of 24,765 for the month of September, a 25 percent
decrease from September 2007 levels.

    "As consumers tighten their spending due to the uncertain economic
times we are experiencing, we are certainly feeling the pinch, as I am sure
every other manufacturer is," said Dave Zuchowski, Hyundai Motor America's
vice president of national sales. "While we are disappointed in September
sales results, we believe it is consistent with that happened in the
overall industry. But we feel Hyundai is well positioned to weather these
difficult economic times with a full lineup of vehicles that offer some of
the best value, fuel economy, safety and quality in the industry."

CARLINE      SEPT/2008   SEPT/2007    CY2008     CY2007
    -------      ---------   ---------    ------     ------

    ACCENT           3,014       3,120    44,393     29,212
    SONATA           8,629       6,550    97,442     99,358
    ELANTRA          3,681       7,164    86,144     73,890
    TIBURON            677       1,236     7,730     11,850
    SANTA FE         4,676       7,496    56,629     70,005
    AZERA              483       1,423    13,437     17,361
    TUCSON           1,294       3,693    16,247     32,449
    ENTOURAGE          455         879     4,360     15,664
    VERACRUZ           827       1,653     8,427      8,618
    GENESIS          1,029         N/A     2,855        N/A
    TOTAL           24,765      33,214   337,664    358,407

[sirAQUAMAN64]

1,029 is one healthy Genesis number!

[MKII]

The Ford Flex has the highest conquest rate of any
Ford product (except for Escape Hybrid), and also is attracting the highest
rate of premium and import buyers.

Conquest rate ... That does not tell people how many Flex's Ford is selling, or how well it actually sells on the market comparing to the competition. Marketing wording BS, even the sales report is full of it!

Conquest sales for Ford is a very important issue. IMO  Fords NA most important battle, to change the average N.A.consumers perception.

BTW Flex units sold for September 1,959

[conwelpic]

Passenger Cars Up 17.2 Percent Year to Date

    IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Kia Motors America (KMA) today
announced September sales of 17,383 units with year-to-date sales of
228,088 units. Passenger cars are up 17.2 percent year to date, with Rondo,
Kia's value-laden CUV, posting a 3-percent increase over the same month
last year and a 38.4-percent increase year to date.

    Optima and Rio also posted year-to-date increases of 31.5 and 21.7
percent respectively with 40,778 and 30,329 units sold.

    "Considering the current economic climate we are pleased to see
consumers recognizing and appreciating our passenger cars for the value,
safety and fuel efficiency they bring to the market," said Tom Loveless,
vice president of sales, KMA.
                         MONTH OF SEPTEMBER           YEAR-TO-DATE
    Model                     2008         2007         2008         2007

    Rio                      2,071        2,638       30,329       24,930

    Spectra                  3,878        5,785       58,915       55,546
    Optima                   1,905        3,004       40,778       31,021
    Amanti                     163          220        2,806        5,057
    Sportage                 1,721        4,083       27,853       36,150
    Sorento                  3,163        3,249       20,636       29,687
    Sedona                   1,648        2,544       20,858       31,825
    Rondo                    2,642        2,564       24,680       17,827
    Borrego                    192          n/a        1,233          n/a

    Total                   17,383       24,087      228,088      232,043

[conwelpic]

TORRANCE, Calif., Oct. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Toyota Motor Sales (TMS),
U.S.A., Inc., today reported September sales of 144,260 vehicles, a
decrease of 29.5 percent from last September, on a daily selling rate
basis. Calendar-year-to-date (CYTD) sales total 1,793,303 units, down 10.4
percent from the same period last year.

    The Toyota Division posted September sales of 128,215 units, down 28.9
percent from last September. The Lexus Division reported September sales of
16,045 units, a decrease of 33.4 percent from the year-ago month.

    Toyota Division

    Toyota Division passenger cars recorded September sales of 78,912
units, a decrease of 23.7 percent from last September. Passenger car sales
were led by Camry and Camry Hybrid, which posted combined September sales
of 29,486 units. Camry Hybrid reported sales of 2,785 units for the month.
Corolla recorded sales of 21,316 units for the month. With limited
availability, the Prius mid-size gas-electric hybrid reported September
sales of 10,873 units. Yaris posted September sales of 5,721 units, up 0.1
percent over the same period last year.

    Toyota Division light trucks posted sales of 49,303 units, down 36
percent from the year-ago month. Light truck sales were led by the RAV4
compact SUV with September sales of 10,305 units. The Tundra full-size
pickup reported September sales of 7,696 units. Tacoma recorded sales of
9,176 units for the month. Highlander and Highlander Hybrid posted combined
September sales of 5,729 units. The Highlander Hybrid gas electric mid-size
SUV recorded sales of 921 units for the month. Sequoia posted September
sales of 2,030 units, up 27.4 percent over the same period last year.
Sienna recorded sales of 9,647 units for the month, up 1.9 percent over the
year-ago month.

    Scion posted September sales of 8,112 units. The xB urban utility
vehicle led the way with September sales of 3,038 units. The tC sports
coupe posted September sales of 2,679 units. The xD reported sales of 2,395
units for the month.

    Lexus Division

    Lexus passenger cars reported September sales of 9,430 units, down 35.1
percent from the year-ago month. Passenger car sales were led by the ES 350
luxury sedan with September sales of 4,042 units. The IS entry luxury sport
sedan reported combined sales of 3,044 units. The LS flagship luxury sedan
reported combined sales of 1,238 units. The GS luxury sport sedan posted
combined September sales of 977 units.

    Lexus Division light trucks reported September sales of 6,615 units,
down 31 percent from the same period last year. Lexus sales were led by the
RX luxury utility vehicle which posted combined September sales of 4,639
units. The RX 400h hybrid luxury utility vehicle reported sales of 744
units for the month. The LX 570 recorded sales of 647 units, up 280.8
percent over September 2007.

    TMS Hybrids

    TMS calendar-year-to-date hybrid sales totaled 200,450 units. TMS
posted September sales of 15,399 hybrid vehicles. Toyota Division posted
sales of 14,579 hybrids for the month. Lexus Division posted September
sales of 820 hybrids.

    There were 24 selling days this month, compared to 25 selling days last
September.

[conwelpic]

IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Mazda North American Operations
(MNAO) today reported September 2008 sales of 16,169 vehicles, down 35.6
percent over last September. Year-to-date, Mazda has sold 215,408 vehicles,
down 5.7 percent.

    The all-new 2009 MAZDA6, which arrived at dealerships across the
country in September, is off to a great start and exceeded sales objectives
for the month. The new MAZDA6 features a larger body than the outgoing car,
as well as more powerful -- and more fuel efficient -- engine choices.

    The right-for-the-market MAZDA5 multi-activity vehicle posted a 26.8
percent increase versus last September, with 1,080 sales. Year-to-date the
MAZDA5 is up a remarkable 42.0 percent.

    Mazda Motor de Mexico (MMdM) celebrated its best-ever September with
sales of 1,780 vehicles, up 29 percent versus last year. On a year-to-date
basis, MMdM reported 13,305 total sales, accounting for a 33 percent
increase versus last year. Mazda Canada Inc. (MCI) reported September sales
of 6,762 units, down a slight 4.2 percent.

[conwelpic]

TORRANCE, Calif., Oct. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- American Honda Motor Co.,
Inc., posted September vehicle sales of 96,626, a decline of 20.9 percent
compared to September 2007 results. American Honda year-to-date sales of
1,180,583 represent a 1.1 percent decrease.

    "This September was an incredibly volatile month for Wall Street," said
Dick Colliver, executive vice president of sales for American Honda.
"Obviously, no one is immune to market shifts as dramatic as we have been
seeing."

    Honda Division posted September sales of 86,629, a decline of 20.0
percent versus September 2007. Honda total car sales decreased by 18.5
percent to 50,611. Honda light truck sales decreased 22.0 percent to
36,018. The Fit achieved a September record of 6,515, up 48.7 percent in
its first full month available as a completely redesigned 2009 model.

    The Acura Division posted sales of 9,997, a decrease of 27.5 percent
compared to September 2007.

[conwelpic]

TORRANCE, Calif., Oct. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- In a challenging financial
marketplace, Acura September sales totaled 9,997 units, down 27.5 percent
versus last year, based on the daily selling rate*. Year-to-date vehicle
sales totaled 115,828, down 15.3 percent** versus 2007, Acura announced
today.

    The MDX luxury SUV is again Acura's best-selling vehicle, with
September sales of 3,669 units, while the TL was Acura's top selling luxury
performance sedan with sales of 3,017.

    TSX recorded sales of 2,144 units and the RL totaled 259. September
sales of the turbocharged RDX crossover SUV were 908.

[conwelpic]

BMW Group US sales (BMW and MINI combined) decreased 4.8 percent
year-to-date. In September sales declined 25.8 percent.

    WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J., Oct. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- The BMW Group in the U.S.
(BMW and MINI combined) reported September sales of 18,506 vehicles, a
decrease of 25.8 percent over the 24,932 vehicles sold in September 2007.
The BMW Group also reported a year-to-date sales volume of 236,327
vehicles, down 4.8 percent, compared to 248,273 vehicles in the same period
of 2007.

    BMW Brand Sales

    Sales of BMW brand vehicles decreased 29.5 percent in September for a
total of 14,744 compared to 20,901 reported in the same month a year ago.
Year-to-date BMW brand sales were down 9.6 percent, to 195,633 vehicles
compared to 216,337 vehicles sold in the same period in 2007.

    "At BMW, we are fortunate to have set a rational plan in place for the
entire year. While our sales this month are on a level with others, in the
year to date, we are still tracking better than the overall premium
market," said Jim O'Donnell, President of BMW of North America, LLC. "New
products such as the just refreshed 3 Series with its new look and new
iDrive Control will keep us attractive in the market place. A new dimension
will be added to our range of vehicles with the introduction of the
Advanced Clean Diesels in the 3 Series and the X5, which will be available
in all 50 states. We are also getting ready for the U.S. launch of the
all-new 7 Series which comes early in the new year."

    BMW Automobile Sales

    BMW's automobile sales are down 35.9 percent in September to 10,552
versus 16,457 in the same month a year ago. Year-to-date sales also
decreased 9.9 percent, to 152,988 automobiles compared to 169,760 in the
same period of 2007.

    BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Sales

    Sales of BMW Sports Activity Vehicles decreased by 5.7 percent in
September to 4,192 vehicles over the 4,444 sold last September.
Year-to-date, sales of BMW Sports Activity Vehicles were down 8.4 percent,
to 42,645 vehicles compared to the 46,577 sold in the first nine months of
2007.

    MINI Brand Sales

    MINI USA reported September sales of 3,762 automobiles, down 6.7
percent from the 4,031 cars sold in September 2007. Year-to-date, the
division reported sales of 40,694 automobiles, an increase of 27.4 percent,
compared to the 31,936 cars reported in the first nine months of 2007.

    "Tight inventories restricted September MINI sales, which were 269
units below prior year levels," said Jim McDowell, Vice-President of MINI
USA. "Despite high gas prices, limited credit opportunities, and concern
about the overall economy, more and more Americans are rethinking
automotive choices they have always made. We think this is the reason why
we ended the month with only a six day supply of cars in our retailers'
showrooms. In the coming month, we look forward to increased production for
our market to help replenish our dealer stocks."

[conwelpic]

FRANKLIN, Tenn., Oct. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Nissan North America,
Inc. (NNA) today reported September 2008 sales of 59,565 units versus
94,269 units a year ago, a decrease of 36.8 percent. Sales of Nissan
Division vehicles declined 38.4 percent, while sales of Infiniti Division
vehicles fell by 24.1 percent.

    (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080506/NISSANWORDMARKLOGO
)

    NISSAN HIGHLIGHTS

    -- Nissan vehicles saw sales of 51,786 units in September compared with
September 2007's 84,019 units sold, a 38.4 percent decrease.

    -- The all-new Maxima sports sedan had a strong month, with sales of
4,996 units in September.


    -- The GT-R continues to perform well, with sales of 421 units.

    INFINITI HIGHLIGHTS

    -- Infiniti sales for September were 7,779 units, down from 10,250
units a year ago, a decline of 24.1 percent.

    NNA INFORMATION

    -- Combined sales for Nissan and Infiniti of 59,565 units, compared
with last September's sales of 94,269 units, marked a decrease of 36.8
percent.

    -- In a challenging environment, Nissan's sales for the second quarter
of the fiscal year, which is July-September, totaled 263,377 units.
Compared to prior year, sales were down 5.1 percent. Sales for the first
half of the fiscal year were 515,953 units, a decrease of 3.4 percent from
a year ago.

[conwelpic]

Continues to Outperform Industry - Year-to-Date Sales Up 4 Percent
                        Marketshare at Record Levels

    CHERRY HILL, N.J., Oct. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Subaru of America,
Inc. today posted total Year-to-Date sales of 143,789 units, a 4 percent
gain over YTD September 2007 of 138,622 units.

    (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080325/SUBARULOGO )

    Sales for the Subaru Forester were up 28 percent or 4,804 units for the
month of September versus September 2007 sales of 3,746 units, while the
Subaru Legacy Sedan posted its best September ever -- up an impressive 14
percent over the same period last year or 2,228 units from 1,954 units.

"We are up 4 percent in total sales for the year and the Subaru
Impreza, Forester and Legacy Sedan are on record pace with their best 9
months results ever," said Tim Colbeck, vice president of sales for Subaru
of America. "Our products are well positioned as consumers are
rationalizing their purchase decisions in favor of value, dependability,
capability and economy. In short, Subaru represents a sensible decision in
these volatile times."