There's A New Queen Of California
Oh, California, the trend-setting coastal paradise that once sparked a revolution in the American car market. Fully half of cars sold in the Golden State are from Japanese brands, and for a couple of years, the top dog was the Toyota Prius – about as opposite as could be from the rest of the country, where the Ford F-Series reigns supreme. But there’s a new leader in the sales charts, and it’s a bit more mainstream (or “ normcore” as the kids are saying these days).
In the first few months of 2014, the Honda Accord has managed to displace the Toyota Prius as California’s best-selling car. The Los Angeles Times reports that 15,611 Accords have been sold, giving it a lead of roughly 300 units over the Prius. The Honda Civic, Toyota Camry and Toyota Corolla rounded out the top five.
That’s not to say that the race is wrapped up already: the Prius, or any of the other cars mentioned, could snatch the crown – no other nameplates have sold more than 10,000 units so far.
At 1.8 million units, California’s car market is bigger than Canada’s, and import brands make up nearly three quarters of all sales. But Chrysler saw a big gain in 2014, with Jeep sales up 57 percent, Ram trucks up 49 percent and Fiat up 78 percent. The big losers in California included Tesla, which saw a 36 percent drop in sales. Perhaps the novelty of being an “early adopter” is wearing off, at least until the Model X arrives next year.
More by Derek Kreindler
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Vulpine - May I be the first to inform you that in fact a good 80% of the supposed SuperCharger stations TESLA and Elon Musk lay claim to do not in fact exist . Including each and every one within striking distance of my house . So much for Truth in Advertising when it comes to all things TESLA BTW - Do the research on EVs currently as well as their projected future . BMW , Toyota , Daimler and VW-Aui are all to a number bailing on them . No one new is coming up the ranks . TESLA et al sales are on the wane . Suffice it to say the Future doesn't look so very bright for any of them . You want to see the future ? Look no further than Hydrogen there Vulpine . And THAT ... you can take to the bank . Unlike EVs which are about to go bust Hint ; Like to know one good reason why ? Look no further than where Big Oil is putting their money [ thats for you as well MitchW ] Remembering . What Big Oil wants ... Big Oil always gets here in the US of A since the rise of Standard Oil . And Big Oil wants hydrogen . Because ... with little effort or investment they stand to cash in big time ... again ! And guess what else ? The major automotive manufactures want hydrogen as well . For very similar reasons [ if you comprehend how little it takes to convert an ICE to hydrogen ... as BMW has proven so well ] Sorry for raining on your EV parade Vulpine .... but its for your own and your wallets good .
The Prius makes sense for Southern California for reasons beyond image or politics. Hybrid mpg excels at city and stop-n-go. The handling and road noise are irrelevant when you never get to exceed 30mph on your commute. At some point, though, I'd do the math on how much of my life was spent creeping along at walking speed in a cheap plastic-lined Prius shell and I'd either have to move far, far away or buy a used Mercedes so at least I'd be wasting my life in a nicely-trimmed cocoon.
I've been inside exactly one Prius. That was last night. It was a new Prius V taxi from the airport to home. It was amazingly roomy inside, but the materials were very cheap and on par with an old Caliber (which are also amazingly roomy inside). I have zero desire to own one, but it rode nicely and swallowed four very large over-stuffed duffel bags without complaint. I did find it very noisy in the heavy rain though. There seemed to be no noise insulation behind the headliner at all.
TOTitan ; If you truly think that is the Faux side of me than obviously your overall knowledge of the economic situation in California is somewhat less than lacking . Fact is ... lets see now ... where did some of that information I posted about CA get verified lately . Hmmmn .... NYTimes - WSJ - CNBC Financial - two State of CA representatives - The Economist etc etc etc But hey ... did you perhaps also miss how even Silicon Valley is on the verge of a Real Estate bubble as well as a decline in hiring ? Bet you did ! But hey . You just keep on reading and believing what those Ivy Tower - deluded - agenda based - bought and paid for [ by the State of California ] Academic types are saying . Having done my time in the Ivy Tower myself .. lets see where that gets you ;-) As to my being Entertaining . Yeah ... if you consider Facts to be Entertaining ... then I guess I am . So be it . But anytime you'd like to bang heads on the facts TOTitan ... bring it on . I love a good fight ! But do bring forth evidence that is at least somewhat less 'circular' in nature [ rules of debate TOTitan ] as well as a bit more credible than some pretentious academic trying to make a name for him/herself . i mean honestly . If we're going to bang heads . At least make it entertaining if not challenging for me . That being only fair IMO PS; Getting a small idea yet of what you're coming up against TOTitan ?