October Sales: The Final Numbers
October sales data are coming in, and most are below forecast. Chrysler, Ford, and GM sold less than analysts predicted. Analysts had higher hopes for Toyota also. Volkswagen, up 23 percent, more or less met expectations. We have the final sales table, courtesy of Automotive News [sub].
Chrysler and GM pointed fingers at Sandy. Chrysler said it made its numbers “In spite of Hurricane Sandy.” GM said it had a solid October “in a month that was marked by a devastating national tragedy.” Even Volkswagen mentioned that over 25 percent of its U.S. dealerships were affected by the storm along the eastern United States. Ford did not mention the storm in its sales release.
AutomakerOct. 2012Oct. 2011Pct. chng.10 monthBertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.
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- Yuda I'd love to see what Hennessy does with this one GAWD
- Lorenzo I just noticed the 1954 Ford Customline V8 has the same exterior dimensions, but better legroom, shoulder room, hip room, a V8 engine, and a trunk lid. It sold, with Fordomatic, for $21,500, inflation adjusted.
- Lorenzo They won't be sold just in Beverly Hills - there's a Nieman-Marcus in nearly every big city. When they're finally junked, the transfer case will be first to be salvaged, since it'll be unused.
- Ltcmgm78 Just what we need to do: add more EVs that require a charging station! We own a Volt. We charge at home. We bought the Volt off-lease. We're retired and can do all our daily errands without burning any gasoline. For us this works, but we no longer have a work commute.
- Michael S6 Given the choice between the Hornet R/T and the Alfa, I'd pick an Uber.
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- Considering Sandy took a good 5+ sales days away from car buyers in the most densely-populated region of the country (essentially making October the shortest sales month of 2012), these numbers don't look that bad. - Volt Life Watch: 2,961 more Volts left showrooms in the U.S., besting September and August before it as its best month yet, and leaving it 691 sales shy of 20K (not counting Canada's 927 sales). - Also of note: The CTS falls as the ATS rises, while the Verano continues to mop the floor with its Regal big brother, outselling it more than 2-to-1. - Finally, the Chevy Spark city car "no one will buy" found more than 2,000 more takers, upping it's abbreviated 2012 total to 8,447 sales. Combined with strong Octobers for the Cruze and Sonic, Chevy is excelling in the small car segment like never before.
Good to see Lambo sales are up 38% or... 11 more cars.