October Sales **GM outperforms Toyota (page 1)**
11-01-2006, 10:36 PM
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October Sales **GM outperforms Toyota (page 1)**
GM, Toyota, Ford Post Big Sales Gains - - By Sarah Karush, Associated Press Writer - - Source: http://biz.yahoo.com/
DETROIT (AP) -- Lower gas prices boosted truck sales in October, helping two of the domestic Big Three and Toyota Motor Corp. post sales gains compared with a dismal October last year.
General Motors Corp. led all automakers with a 17.3 percent increase, fueled by a 33.2 percent rise in truck and sport utility vehicle sales. But GM car sales dropped 1.9 percent.
On a percentage basis, GM outperformed Toyota Motor Corp., which reported a 9.2 percent sales increase.
Ford Motor Co. also posted a big sales gain, but DaimlerChrysler AG posted weaker U.S. sales than in October 2005.
Paul Ballew, GM's chief of global market and industry analysis, said the decline in gas prices from a peak of $3 a gallon earlier this year helped the industry as a whole and truck sales in particular.
"What we're seeing right now is not a movement back into utilities, but at $2.20 a gallon, some of the pressure which was really dampening demand in the utility space has been lessened," he said. "We are not seeing the mass migration out of utilities into cars or crossovers that we saw in the spring."
Toyota and Lexus sold 4.3 percent more cars last month, but their truck sales were up 16.3 percent. The company's performance, though, wasn't enough to unseat Ford as the No. 2 vehicle seller in the U.S.
Ford sold a total of 214,806 vehicles in October, compared with Toyota's 189,011. GM sold 297,401 vehicles.
The sales improvements came in part because they were compared with a dismal October 2005, when sales plummeted for nearly all manufacturers following an incentive-fueled summer frenzy.
Ford's U.S. sales were up 8 percent, thanks mostly to a 22.1 percent increase in car sales. Sales of trucks and sport utility vehicles inched up 0.8 percent from the year-ago period. The figures include the Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Jaguar, Volvo and Land Rover brands.
DaimlerChrysler, meanwhile, reported that its sales dropped 1.6 percent due mainly to a 3.2 percent drop at the U.S.-based Chrysler Group. But that was partly offset by a 12.3 percent increase at Mercedes-Benz, which posted a record October sales figure.
Chrysler's car sales were down 33 percent, while its truck sales were up 9.2 percent. The company sold 159,586 vehicles last month, compared with 164,814 in 2005.
Both GM and Chrysler said car sales dropped in part due to reduced sales to rental car companies and other fleet buyers. Automakers have been trying to wean themselves off fleet sales because they yield less money than selling to individuals.
"Generally, when you're very encouraged by the retail sales in a month (as) in this particular case, it also comes with a corresponding reduction in fleet sales for the month, which is in line with our fleet strategy," said Steven Landry, Chrysler's vice president for sales and field operations. "That's what makes us a little happy."
At Honda Motor Co., sales were down 0.2 percent in October, with trucks up 11.1 percent and cars down 8.8 percent.
Nissan Motor Co. reported a 3.9 percent increase in October sales over the same month last year, with an 8.2 percent increase in truck sales and a 0.1 percent rise in car sales for its Nissan and Infiniti brands.
Chrysler and Ford, as well as General Motors Corp., have struggled recently to match the offerings of Asian competitors as consumer tastes shift to smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles. The Big Three have long relied on high-margin pickups and SUVs for most of their sales and are now trying to cope with huge inventories by slashing production.
Ford said Monday that it expects to further cut production in the first six months of 2007 -- by 8 percent to 12 percent from the same period this year -- as it works to bring manufacturing in line with lower demand for its products. For 2006, the company has said production would be down about 9 percent from 2005.
Ford said Wednesday that Ford, Lincoln and Mercury inventories were estimated at 622,000 at the end of October -- 107,000 units fewer than a year ago and 30,000 fewer than at the end of September. The company said it estimates that three-quarters of its inventory is new 2007 models.
"We are very serious about aligning inventories with demand," Al Giombetti, sales and marketing president for Ford and Lincoln Mercury, said in a written statement. "Our dealers did an outstanding job with the 2006 model sell-down program, and we took a painful but necessary action to reduce fourth-quarter production."
Ford sales analyst George Pipas said the automaker's inventory split between new and old models may have brought down last month's sales, which were made up of 37 percent old models and 63 percent new ones. A more typical October ratio is 50-50, he said.
"In October, from a sales standpoint, it kind of hurts you if you have insufficient old models, but from a long-term perspective we're in a much stronger position," he said.
Pipas said the current inventory also reflects a truck-car mix that is more in line with demand.
General Motors shares fell 27 cents, or 0.8 percent, to close at $34.65 on the New York Stock Exchange, while Ford shares rose 24 cents, or 2.9 percent, to $8.52. DaimlerChrysler's U.S. shares rose 83 cents, or 1.5 percent, to $57.76.
General Motors Corp. led all automakers with a 17.3 percent increase, fueled by a 33.2 percent rise in truck and sport utility vehicle sales. But GM car sales dropped 1.9 percent.
On a percentage basis, GM outperformed Toyota Motor Corp., which reported a 9.2 percent sales increase.
Ford Motor Co. also posted a big sales gain, but DaimlerChrysler AG posted weaker U.S. sales than in October 2005.
Paul Ballew, GM's chief of global market and industry analysis, said the decline in gas prices from a peak of $3 a gallon earlier this year helped the industry as a whole and truck sales in particular.
"What we're seeing right now is not a movement back into utilities, but at $2.20 a gallon, some of the pressure which was really dampening demand in the utility space has been lessened," he said. "We are not seeing the mass migration out of utilities into cars or crossovers that we saw in the spring."
Toyota and Lexus sold 4.3 percent more cars last month, but their truck sales were up 16.3 percent. The company's performance, though, wasn't enough to unseat Ford as the No. 2 vehicle seller in the U.S.
Ford sold a total of 214,806 vehicles in October, compared with Toyota's 189,011. GM sold 297,401 vehicles.
The sales improvements came in part because they were compared with a dismal October 2005, when sales plummeted for nearly all manufacturers following an incentive-fueled summer frenzy.
Ford's U.S. sales were up 8 percent, thanks mostly to a 22.1 percent increase in car sales. Sales of trucks and sport utility vehicles inched up 0.8 percent from the year-ago period. The figures include the Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Jaguar, Volvo and Land Rover brands.
DaimlerChrysler, meanwhile, reported that its sales dropped 1.6 percent due mainly to a 3.2 percent drop at the U.S.-based Chrysler Group. But that was partly offset by a 12.3 percent increase at Mercedes-Benz, which posted a record October sales figure.
Chrysler's car sales were down 33 percent, while its truck sales were up 9.2 percent. The company sold 159,586 vehicles last month, compared with 164,814 in 2005.
Both GM and Chrysler said car sales dropped in part due to reduced sales to rental car companies and other fleet buyers. Automakers have been trying to wean themselves off fleet sales because they yield less money than selling to individuals.
"Generally, when you're very encouraged by the retail sales in a month (as) in this particular case, it also comes with a corresponding reduction in fleet sales for the month, which is in line with our fleet strategy," said Steven Landry, Chrysler's vice president for sales and field operations. "That's what makes us a little happy."
At Honda Motor Co., sales were down 0.2 percent in October, with trucks up 11.1 percent and cars down 8.8 percent.
Nissan Motor Co. reported a 3.9 percent increase in October sales over the same month last year, with an 8.2 percent increase in truck sales and a 0.1 percent rise in car sales for its Nissan and Infiniti brands.
Chrysler and Ford, as well as General Motors Corp., have struggled recently to match the offerings of Asian competitors as consumer tastes shift to smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles. The Big Three have long relied on high-margin pickups and SUVs for most of their sales and are now trying to cope with huge inventories by slashing production.
Ford said Monday that it expects to further cut production in the first six months of 2007 -- by 8 percent to 12 percent from the same period this year -- as it works to bring manufacturing in line with lower demand for its products. For 2006, the company has said production would be down about 9 percent from 2005.
Ford said Wednesday that Ford, Lincoln and Mercury inventories were estimated at 622,000 at the end of October -- 107,000 units fewer than a year ago and 30,000 fewer than at the end of September. The company said it estimates that three-quarters of its inventory is new 2007 models.
"We are very serious about aligning inventories with demand," Al Giombetti, sales and marketing president for Ford and Lincoln Mercury, said in a written statement. "Our dealers did an outstanding job with the 2006 model sell-down program, and we took a painful but necessary action to reduce fourth-quarter production."
Ford sales analyst George Pipas said the automaker's inventory split between new and old models may have brought down last month's sales, which were made up of 37 percent old models and 63 percent new ones. A more typical October ratio is 50-50, he said.
"In October, from a sales standpoint, it kind of hurts you if you have insufficient old models, but from a long-term perspective we're in a much stronger position," he said.
Pipas said the current inventory also reflects a truck-car mix that is more in line with demand.
General Motors shares fell 27 cents, or 0.8 percent, to close at $34.65 on the New York Stock Exchange, while Ford shares rose 24 cents, or 2.9 percent, to $8.52. DaimlerChrysler's U.S. shares rose 83 cents, or 1.5 percent, to $57.76.
11-01-2006, 10:40 PM
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I was reading an article in Fortune mag yesterday about the main reason that gas prices dropped so much so quickly. The weather. Once the meteorologists came out and predicted a much cooler hurricane season for 06, fund mgrs started selling positions in oil.
Secondary reasons: the end of the summer and Goldman Sachs repositioning away from oil which caused a snowball effect.
Secondary reasons: the end of the summer and Goldman Sachs repositioning away from oil which caused a snowball effect.
11-01-2006, 11:16 PM
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U.S. auto sales rise 6.1 percent - - Dale Jewett | | Automotive News / November 1, 2006 - Source: Autownews.com
DETROIT -- U.S. auto sales in October rose 6.1 percent from a year ago to 1,217,689 units as General Motors, Ford Motor Co., Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc. and Nissan North America all posted gains.
DaimlerChrysler and American Honda Motor Co. saw sales drop during the month, although American Honda's decline was a slight 0.2 percent from last year.
After 10 months, U.S. auto sales this year are down 2.9 percent from the same period last year to 13,928,582 units. Of the top six automakers, only Toyota Motor and American Honda have gained sales this year.
Sales at GM in October were up 17.3 percent from a year ago, while sales at Ford Motor were up 8.0 percent. Both automakers were helped by comparisons with year-ago sales. Last October sales were down markedly in the wake of incentive-fueled big summer sales and high gasoline prices after hurricane Katrina.
DaimlerChrysler sales were down1.6 percent from October 2005 to 180,209 units.
Toyota Motor's October sales were up 9.2 percent from a year ago to 189,011 -- a record for the month, Toyota said.
Meanwhile, Nissan North America's U.S. sales in October rose 3.9 percent from a year ago to 75,095, helped by the Nissan Versa small car and redesigned Sentra. It was the third month this year the automaker has seen a sales gain.
Automakers said lower gasoline prices drove a rebound in sales of some trucks and SUVs -- pricey vehicles that were shunned by American car buyers earlier this year when fuel prices spiked and that remain a mainstay of revenue for Detroit.
"The real pressure point we saw in April, May has eased," GM sales analyst Paul Ballew said. "We have at least taken the real intense pressure off on those categories that we saw when the gas price was around $3 a gallon."
INVENTORIES IN FOCUS
The Detroit 3 - the domestic brands of GM, Ford and the Chrysler group -- have been struggling to manage inventories of unsold 2006 models under pressure from their dealers, who have slowed orders because of the higher cost of financing unsold vehicles.
Ford Motor said discounts on its 2006 models combined with steep production cuts drove down its inventory in October, particularly for pickups and SUVs such as the Ford Explorer and Expedition.
Inventory for Ford Motor's mass-market brands -- Ford, Lincoln and Mercury -- dropped by 30,000 units in October from September to reach 622,000 units. Of that total, 69 percent were trucks, and 76 percent were 2007 models, the company said.
Ford sales analyst George Pipas said: "Obviously it's been painful these last few months -- in the second quarter and third quarter --to see such a reduction in SUV sales; but I do think we have our inventories more aligned with demand, and that's a positive thing as we head into 2007."
GM said its own inventory was near 1 million units, including about 125,000 large SUVs and 250,000 pickups.
Ballew said the inventory was too high for the large SUV category and production would be cut accordingly. The segment has been an area of strength for GM this year, based on the launch of new models such as the Yukon.
GM and Ford both pulled back on sales incentives in October, while the Chrysler group increased its discount offerings slightly in a bid to clear inventory, according to an analysis by auto tracking Web site Edmunds.com.
The Chrysler group spent an average of $4,214 per vehicle in October, compared with $3,278 for Ford and $2,497 for GM, Edmunds.com said today.
Reuters contributed to this report.
DaimlerChrysler and American Honda Motor Co. saw sales drop during the month, although American Honda's decline was a slight 0.2 percent from last year.
After 10 months, U.S. auto sales this year are down 2.9 percent from the same period last year to 13,928,582 units. Of the top six automakers, only Toyota Motor and American Honda have gained sales this year.
Sales at GM in October were up 17.3 percent from a year ago, while sales at Ford Motor were up 8.0 percent. Both automakers were helped by comparisons with year-ago sales. Last October sales were down markedly in the wake of incentive-fueled big summer sales and high gasoline prices after hurricane Katrina.
DaimlerChrysler sales were down1.6 percent from October 2005 to 180,209 units.
Toyota Motor's October sales were up 9.2 percent from a year ago to 189,011 -- a record for the month, Toyota said.
Meanwhile, Nissan North America's U.S. sales in October rose 3.9 percent from a year ago to 75,095, helped by the Nissan Versa small car and redesigned Sentra. It was the third month this year the automaker has seen a sales gain.
Automakers said lower gasoline prices drove a rebound in sales of some trucks and SUVs -- pricey vehicles that were shunned by American car buyers earlier this year when fuel prices spiked and that remain a mainstay of revenue for Detroit.
"The real pressure point we saw in April, May has eased," GM sales analyst Paul Ballew said. "We have at least taken the real intense pressure off on those categories that we saw when the gas price was around $3 a gallon."
INVENTORIES IN FOCUS
The Detroit 3 - the domestic brands of GM, Ford and the Chrysler group -- have been struggling to manage inventories of unsold 2006 models under pressure from their dealers, who have slowed orders because of the higher cost of financing unsold vehicles.
Ford Motor said discounts on its 2006 models combined with steep production cuts drove down its inventory in October, particularly for pickups and SUVs such as the Ford Explorer and Expedition.
Inventory for Ford Motor's mass-market brands -- Ford, Lincoln and Mercury -- dropped by 30,000 units in October from September to reach 622,000 units. Of that total, 69 percent were trucks, and 76 percent were 2007 models, the company said.
Ford sales analyst George Pipas said: "Obviously it's been painful these last few months -- in the second quarter and third quarter --to see such a reduction in SUV sales; but I do think we have our inventories more aligned with demand, and that's a positive thing as we head into 2007."
GM said its own inventory was near 1 million units, including about 125,000 large SUVs and 250,000 pickups.
Ballew said the inventory was too high for the large SUV category and production would be cut accordingly. The segment has been an area of strength for GM this year, based on the launch of new models such as the Yukon.
GM and Ford both pulled back on sales incentives in October, while the Chrysler group increased its discount offerings slightly in a bid to clear inventory, according to an analysis by auto tracking Web site Edmunds.com.
The Chrysler group spent an average of $4,214 per vehicle in October, compared with $3,278 for Ford and $2,497 for GM, Edmunds.com said today.
Reuters contributed to this report.
11-01-2006, 11:16 PM
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U.S. auto sales rise 6.1 percent - - Dale Jewett | | Automotive News / November 1, 2006 - Source: Autownews.com
Oct. Oct. Pct. 10 mos. 10 mos. Pct.
2006 2005 chng. 2006 2005 chng.
BMW* 24,492 25,666 –4.6% 254,576 251,586 1.2%
DaimlerChrysler** 180,209 183,191 –1.6% 1,985,381 2,130,359 –6.8%
Ford Motor Co.*** 214,591 198,716 8.0% 2,488,525 2,687,254 –7.4%
General Motors**** 297,401 253,546 17.3% 3,437,282 3,792,988 –9.4%
American Honda† 110,624 110,895 –0.2% 1,271,134 1,223,812 3.9%
Hyundai Group†† 50,576 50,044 1.1% 631,833 615,601 2.6%
Isuzu 638 778 –18.0% 7,412 10,600 –30.1%
Mazda 18,843 19,504 –3.4% 228,082 221,367 3.0%
Mitsubishi 9,288 9,292 –% 99,392 105,420 –5.7%
Nissan††† 75,095 72,279 3.9% 851,459 908,204 –6.2%
Porsche 2,355 2,588 –9.0% 28,766 26,397 9.0%
Subaru 15,404 16,774 –8.2% 164,290 161,562 1.7%
Suzuki 5,950 6,246 –4.7% 87,278 69,732 25.2%
Toyota‡ 189,011 173,085 9.2% 2,117,507 1,887,351 12.2%
VW‡‡ 22,613 24,168 –6.4% 270,057 249,007 8.5%
Other (estimate) 599 530 13.0% 5,608 5,413 3.6%
TOTAL 1,217,689 1,147,302 6.1% 13,928,582 14,346,653 –2.9%
2006 2005 chng. 2006 2005 chng.
BMW* 24,492 25,666 –4.6% 254,576 251,586 1.2%
DaimlerChrysler** 180,209 183,191 –1.6% 1,985,381 2,130,359 –6.8%
Ford Motor Co.*** 214,591 198,716 8.0% 2,488,525 2,687,254 –7.4%
General Motors**** 297,401 253,546 17.3% 3,437,282 3,792,988 –9.4%
American Honda† 110,624 110,895 –0.2% 1,271,134 1,223,812 3.9%
Hyundai Group†† 50,576 50,044 1.1% 631,833 615,601 2.6%
Isuzu 638 778 –18.0% 7,412 10,600 –30.1%
Mazda 18,843 19,504 –3.4% 228,082 221,367 3.0%
Mitsubishi 9,288 9,292 –% 99,392 105,420 –5.7%
Nissan††† 75,095 72,279 3.9% 851,459 908,204 –6.2%
Porsche 2,355 2,588 –9.0% 28,766 26,397 9.0%
Subaru 15,404 16,774 –8.2% 164,290 161,562 1.7%
Suzuki 5,950 6,246 –4.7% 87,278 69,732 25.2%
Toyota‡ 189,011 173,085 9.2% 2,117,507 1,887,351 12.2%
VW‡‡ 22,613 24,168 –6.4% 270,057 249,007 8.5%
Other (estimate) 599 530 13.0% 5,608 5,413 3.6%
TOTAL 1,217,689 1,147,302 6.1% 13,928,582 14,346,653 –2.9%
11-02-2006, 06:13 AM
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Originally Posted by gavriil
I cant believe VW is still bleeding...
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11-03-2006, 10:29 PM
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Originally Posted by gavriil
On a percentage basis, GM outperformed Toyota Motor Corp.
11-03-2006, 10:37 PM
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Originally Posted by heyitsme
ON A PERCENTAGE BASIS? I think the Earth just changed the direction of its revolution- My shit just went down the toilet backwards. WHAT ABOUT A FLAT OUT NUMBER BASIS? Or a $ per vehicle built.
Last edited by heyitsme; 11-03-2006 at 10:40 PM.
11-04-2006, 01:02 PM
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Originally Posted by heyitsme
ON A PERCENTAGE BASIS? I think the Earth just changed the direction of its revolution- My shit just went down the toilet backwards. WHAT ABOUT A FLAT OUT NUMBER BASIS? Or a $ per vehicle built.
About absolute number basis:
Ford sold a total of 214,806 vehicles in October, compared with Toyota's 189,011. GM sold 297,401 vehicles.
11-04-2006, 06:34 PM
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Isn't GM # of units biggest seller in the US anyways? %age makes sense. Doesn't gas go back up for heating in the winter though even though hurricane season is about over?
11-05-2006, 07:48 AM
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Honda/Acura Sales
Acura Announces Oct Sales
Light Truck Sales Reach a Third Consecutive Monthly Record For the Luxury Division
TORRANCE, Calif. 11/01/2006 --
Spurred by sales of the all-new 2007 MDX luxury performance SUV and continued growth in sales of the RDX crossover SUV, Acura sold an October record of 6,130 light trucks, the division announced today. The previous record for the month of 5,233 was set in 2004.
Overall, Acura totaled 15,877 units sold for the month, up 0.7 percent from a year ago based on the daily selling rate and posting year-to-date sales at 164,967.
"We made some important strides in sales during October," said Dick Colliver, executive vice president, sales. "We think November and December should be big months for us, especially with the all-new MDX and TL Type-S models available at dealerships."
Continuing its impressive start, 1,701 RDX's were purchased during the new model's second complete month of sales. Meanwhile, MDX posted 4,429 units sold during October, an increase of 6.4 percent over a year ago, bringing its year-to-date total to 41,808.
The TSX sports sedan continued its brisk pace in 2006 with 2,209 units sold in October, bumping year-to-date TSX sales to 32,046 - up 4.9 percent versus 2005.
Bolstered by sales of the recently reintroduced Type-S, the TL performance luxury sedan maintained its position as the top-selling Acura model, with 5,790 units sold in October, bringing combined year-to-date sales of the model to 60,064.
Honda Sales: CRV Record
Honda's light trucks continue to shine with another record month of sales
TORRANCE, Calif. 11/01/2006 --
Honda and Acura total vehicle sales of 110,624 for October increased 3.7 percent over last year on a daily selling rate basis, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today. American Honda light truck sales of 52,789 led the increase with a 15.6 percent gain that broke the previous October record of 49,193 set in 2004.
Sales of the all-new 2007 Honda CR-V totaled 20,413, representing an increase of 95.7 percent in its first full month of sales while shattering the previous all-time record by 3,744 units from July 2005. Total year-to-date sales for American Honda continued on a record-setting pace of 1,271,134 cars and light trucks for the year, up 3.9 percent and on-track for a 13th consecutive year-over-year sales increase.
"The increased diversity of both our Honda and Acura lineups is helping to push sales up across the board." said Dick Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda. "Judging by the new all-time sales record, the all-new 2007 Honda CR-V is a hit with consumers, too."
The Honda Division posted record October sales of 94,747 cars and light trucks, a year-to-date sales increase of 5.7 percent to 1,106,167. The Civic Hybrid model posted record October sales with 2,288 units.
In addition, Honda Division light truck sales increased 12.4 percent for the month to record 46,659.
Acura posted record October light truck sales of 6,130 units. The MDX sport luxury SUV is up 6.4 percent to 4,429 and the all-new RDX crossover SUV posted 1,701 sales during its second full month of sales. The TL performance luxury sedan remained Acura's best selling model in October, delivering 5,790 units.
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