Friday, May 1, 2009

April Auto Sales Reports

U.S. auto sales are still down 34% versus a year ago. That decline was the smallest for 2009 according to Bloomberg. Chrysler was obviously impacted by the negative news, during that month, they they might be filing for bankruptcy.

Chrysler down 48%
Toyota down 42%
Nissan down 38%
BMW down 38%
General Motors down 35%
Mazda down 32%
Ford down 32%
Mercedes down 31%
Honda down 25%
Volkswagen down 16%
Hyundai down 14%


Kesse Toprak, director of industry analysis for auto-research firm Edmunds.com indicated that "We've seen stability in demand, the variable in coming months is how consumers will react to Chrysler." My concern is that with a potential GM bankruptcy looming might also impact sales. I will be monitoring GM sales... since they have the June 1st deadline to submit their new restructuring plans to the government.


April sales ran at an annual pace of 9.3 million units, versus March of 9.9 million units. Sales for 2008 were 13.2 million autos. My take is that these numbers are still down materially....the economy must improve to give people the confidence to buy big ticket items like cars.

4 comments:

  1. Hello Pete,

    Thank you for your information. Still tough time for auto manufactures seems to continue. But it looks like more stable as you say.

    I really appreciate this info. I can now talk with Japanese counterparts with these data.

    Shaw Funami
    Fill the Missing Link

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Shaw,

    Normally, I would not be reporting on sale figures! This is such a turbulant time in the auto business that I think most readers would be interested in the latest information!

    I appreciate you bringing up issues that you would like to see covered! Thank you for your great comment!

    Pete Baca
    The Car Enthusiast Online

    T

    Than

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Pete .. it is a dire time .. and still lots happening in the car market .. but purchases still happening - I can tell a new car as it as the '09' in its number plate registration! I saw an 'insignia' the other day .. I see it's the new Vauxhall .. I don't know if it's anything special?

    All the best -
    Hilary Melton-Butcher
    Positive Letters

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hilary,

    Yes, it is a dire time in the car market! England seems to be improving currently!

    The Vauxhall Insignia is an interesting car, also they are coming out with an Ampera in 2011 that looks sharp.

    The big news is that Fiat is looking to buy GM of Europe, which Vauxhall is an operating unit. I have a post coming out on it!

    Thanks for your comments!

    Pete Baca
    The Car Enthusiast Online

    ReplyDelete