Comments on: By the Numbers: August Sales Finish in Epäonnistuminen

By: CRConrad

CRConrad — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 11:31:58 +0000

Miksi ihmeessä tässä yhtäkkia puhutaan Suomea?

By: blautens

blautens — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 17:24:50 +0000

After spending all of August shopping for a car for my mother, I have an idea why sales are down for the month (at least in Florida)…too &*#$@ hot!

I kid you not, she wanted to look at the Hyundai dealer, but they don’t have a covered parking garage for all the cars, and she wouldn’t spend more than 10 minutes at the dealer – didn’t want to leave the air conditioned showroom to walk around the broiling sun on hot asphalt.

By: Frank Williams

Frank Williams — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 12:29:01 +0000

pariah
Just out of curiosity, why do we not see numbers for Mazda, Subaru, VW, Hyundai, etc. in these reports? Do none of these companies release sales figures?

Yes they release sales figures, as does every other company that sells cars in the U.S. The ones covered here are the top five in total sales and represent the bulk of sales. Time and space won’t permit us to do every manufacturer or every model sold here.

Honda_Lover
Why is the Pilot in the CUV segement? That would be the CR-V which is doing VERY well in my area.

The models shown are not selected by how well they sell, but by what someone may cross-shop within a market segment. Honda markets the Pilot as a CUV so that’s what we’re tracking against the large CUVs from the other three manufactures. Incidentally, the CR-V may be “doing VERY well” in your area, but overall it’s down 14.3% for August and down 3.6% for the year.

By: Honda_Lover

Honda_Lover — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 08:46:53 +0000

After staying below the ’07 line for three months, the Honda’s Pilot rallied and ended August 18.6 percent above last August. Meanwhile, Pilot sales are down 16.8 percent YTD.

Why is the Pilot in the CUV segement? That would be the CR-V which is doing VERY well in my area.

By: marc_m

marc_m — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 05:24:01 +0000

If this is indicative of the direction our economy is taking (US), then I am not very optimistic about the future.

By: pariah

pariah — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 02:08:19 +0000

Just out of curiosity, why do we not see numbers for Mazda, Subaru, VW, Hyundai, etc. in these reports? Do none of these companies release sales figures?

By: Frank Williams

Frank Williams — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 01:59:09 +0000

Ranger – up 2.9% for the month, down 4.7% YTD
Colorado – down 36.8% for the month, down 22.5% YTD
Frontier – up 55.5% for the month, down 13.1% YTD
Tacoma – down 17.8% for the month, down 11% YTD

By: Johnster

Johnster — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 23:22:30 +0000

How are sales of smaller compact and mid-sized pickups? Frontier? Tacoma? Colorado? Ranger? Is there any movement from owners of full-sized pickups looking to downsize?

By: Bunter1

Bunter1 — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 20:29:35 +0000

I saw a note in one report that GM upped fleet 29% over July.
They did a fleet dump last fall also.
Imagine how they would do with out a fleet dump and “The Kegger”.
A comparison of market share seems to show that GMs “gain”, so to speak, came at Ford and Cryslurs expense.

Cryslur retook the incentive “lead” from GM this month. Ford seems to have a touch more restraint.

Bunter

By: npbheights

npbheights — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 18:40:38 +0000

I bought a 2009 Corolla back in June. In May, South East Toyota Finance was offering 2.9% for 60 month financing or $750 cash back and they upped it to 3.9% for 60 or $750 cash back in June and July. They had no cash back or subsidized financing on the Yaris. It basically made similarly equipped Corollas and Yaris the same price per month . In August they took away the 3.9%, and the $750 cash back on the Corolla so that could explain the drop in Corolla sales as they are now more expensive per month. (they are still doing the 3.9 for 60 and $1000 cash back on the Corolla Matrix, guess it looks too much like a SUV. I bet a Corolla wagon would be doing much better)

By: minion444

minion444 — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 16:30:36 +0000

I went in to buy a Surburban. We have a Great Dane, 2 new mastiff pups and my 2 kids. My 03 Durango is getting a bit snug.

Of course the first thing the salesmen told me was how fast they are moving at these prices and I need to do it now. Then, I was told about Flex fuel. How wonderful and cheaper it was when I used it. I asked him “How many Stations in NJ, carry and sell flex fuel.” Ahhh, none was his answer, but when you travel to other states look at the savings!!

Then they wanted to kill me on my trade.

I wasn’t will to pay $750 a month for 60 months. But, I did keep walking over to the ZO6 that they were talking 15K off the sitcker!

By: Stingray

Stingray — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 15:46:44 +0000

@ nudave:

I don’t live in the US, that’s why it sucks BIG TIME.

And with the change + employee pricing… I’d put the down payment for std or Z06 Corvette =)

To dream is free :’(

By: Steven Lang

Steven Lang — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:53:35 +0000

At the end of the month, many of the largest consigners at the auctions will cut their losses and simply sell the vehicles at the highest bid price.

I’ve seen brand new Colorados, when they were first coming out, sell for $8k. Two year old Saturn Vues sell for $5k, and a long list of other models selling on the cheap.

Don’t be too too surprised if your local used car dealers start buying virtually brand new vehicles given today’s climate. The lower end of the market may still be strong (due to buy here – pay here), but the days when new car dealers could wield the mighty sword of financing are becoming increasingly numbered.

By: nudave

nudave — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:38:52 +0000

Stingray

Hang in there. You may be able to get both trucks at a “buy one, get one free” sale in the not-too-distant future.

And even if there’s no manufacturers warranty, at least you’ll have a parts vehicle for backup

By: Stingray

Stingray — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:13:38 +0000

I would love to buy a HEAVILY discounted ‘08 Silverado and Tahoe. One for work, one for the family.

I just don’t live there.

Life sucks sometimes.

By: Bill Wade

Bill Wade — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 12:32:36 +0000

After this weekend and the troubles with Lehman, Merrill Lynch, Bofa and other Wall Street nastiness, I’ll bet credit is going to entirely disappear and the $50B Detroit is drooling over will be a pipe dream.

One of them will be gone this time next year.