January Sales Up 11 Percent

Kelley Blue Book was right when, a week ago, it predicted that 900,000 cars would be sold in January. It was 913,284, up 11 percent over January 2011. The SAAR, or seasonally adjusted average rate (= if the rest of the year would be as good as January, how much for the year?) climbed to 14.2 million. That blew all estimates and will become interesting when we analyze the analysts tomorrow.

GM saw its first minus since May last year. They said it’s because of a strong January 2011. Automotive News [sub] says that “a year ago, GM’s sales were aided by generous discounts.”

Chrysler (+44 percent), Mazda (+68%) and Volkswagen (+40 percent) surprised. BMW (+ 6 percent) and Mercedes (+ 23 percent) handed in their homework on time.

AutomakerJan. 2012Jan. 2011Pct. chng.1 month

20121 month

2011Pct. chng.BMW Group19,76918,6846%19,76918,6846% BMW division16,40515,9053%16,40515,9053% Mini3,3342,75121%3,3342,75121% Rolls-Royce30287%30287%BMW Group19,76918,6846%19,76918,6846%Chrysler Group101,14970,11844%101,14970,11844% Chrysler Division17,6049,70581%17,6049,70581% Dodge31,45424,31429%31,45424,31429% Dodge/Ram49,92437,33434%49,92437,33434% Fiat1,911––%1,911––% Jeep31,71023,07937%31,71023,07937% Ram18,47013,02042%18,47013,02042%Chrysler Group101,14970,11844%101,14970,11844%Daimler AG21,73017,63623%21,73017,63623% Maybach45–20%45–20% Mercedes-Benz21,23017,27323%21,23017,27323% Smart USA49635839%49635839%Daimler AG21,73017,63623%21,73017,63623% Ford Motor Co. 136,294126,9817%136,294126,9817% Ford division131,173121,1758%131,173121,1758% Lincoln5,1215,558–8%5,1215,558–8% Mercury–248–100%–248–100%Ford Motor Co .136,294126,9817%136,294126,9817%General Motors167,962178,897–6%167,962178,897–6% Buick10,20813,269–23%10,20813,269–23% Cadillac8,92412,581–29%8,92412,581–29% Chevrolet123,864125,389–1%123,864125,389–1% GMC24,96627,658–10%24,96627,658–10%General Motors167,962178,897–6%167,962178,897–6%Honda (American)83,00976,2699%83,00976,2699% Acura8,3817,9615%8,3817,9615% Honda Division74,62868,3089%74,62868,3089%Honda (American)83,00976,2699%83,00976,2699%Hyundai Group78,21165,00320%78,21165,00320% Hyundai division42,69437,21415%42,69437,21415% Kia35,51727,78928%35,51727,78928%Hyundai Group78,21165,00320%78,21165,00320%Jaguar Land Rover4,1903,20631%4,1903,20631% Jaguar9859355%9859355% Land Rover3,2052,27141%3,2052,27141%Jaguar Land Rover4,1903,20631%4,1903,20631%Maserati15411435%15411435%Maserati15411435%15411435%Mazda23,99614,26768%23,99614,26768%Mazda23,99614,26768%23,99614,26768%Mitsubishi4,7115,714–18%4,7115,714–18%Mitsubishi4,7115,714–18%4,7115,714–18%Nissan79,31371,84710%79,31371,84710% Infiniti6,7967,405–8%6,7967,405–8% Nissan Division72,51764,44213%72,51764,44213%Nissan79,31371,84710%79,31371,84710%Porsche2,5502,4006%2,5502,4006%Porsche2,5502,4006%2,5502,4006%Saab Cars North America–658–100%–658–100%Saab Cars North America–658–100%–658–100%Subaru22,80718,85821%22,80718,85821%Subaru22,80718,85821%22,80718,85821%Suzuki1,5052,562–41%1,5052,562–41%Suzuki1,5052,562–41%1,5052,562–41%Toyota124,540115,8568%124,540115,8568% Lexus12,27412,860–5%12,27412,860–5% Scion3,5353,2758%3,5353,2758% Toyota division108,73199,7219%108,73199,7219% Toyota/Scion112,266102,9969%112,266102,9969%Toyota124,540115,8568%124,540115,8568%Volkswagen36,68126,29540%36,68126,29540% Audi9,3547,81220%9,3547,81220% Bentley1188244%1188244% VW division27,20918,40148%27,20918,40148%Volkswagen36,68126,29540%36,68126,29540%Volvo Cars NA4,4614,2764%4,4614,2764%Volvo Cars NA4,4614,2764%4,4614,2764%Other (estimate)**2522453%2522453%TOTAL913,284819,88611%913,284819,88611%

Data courtesy Automotive News [sub]