If it’s like before, then the previous generation Malibu became the “Malibu Classic” and absorbs the vast majority of fleet sales, to the newer version doesn’t have to.

Sorry…couldn’t resist.

Now you can make a real retail sales ranking!

Detroit is looking pretty bad. Cars like Malibu, Impala, Fusion and Edge are not selling all that well at the retail level.

Are we yet at the world shattering ranking?:
1. Toyota
2. GM
3. Honda
4. Ford
5. Nissan
6. Chrysler

That would explain the Malibu’s fleet levels as the new model was barely rolling off the line until January. That would also explain the Highlander’s fleet levels and Rav4’s levels as they coincide with Toyota fleet sales. That would also explain the Corolla’s really low fleet numbers (Toyota did their push in May this year – and did very little during the changeover) and the Edge’s relatively high numbers – Ford did fleet pushes in October and Jan/Feb – and the Fusion’s commercial mix – Ford sold a ton to commercial fleets in Nov – Jan.

Those can’t last forever. (probably) These days, who knows how many secret govt. agencies buy blacked out Vics in the name of Freedom?

Seriously though, I thought Ford tried to reduce overlap by taking Crown Vics out of retail purchases and let the Mighty-Mighty Marquis have all of the retail pie. What’s left of it, that is.

Except for the fact it really hurts retail buyers in the long run, like two of my brother-in-laws who bought Impala’s earlier this year, one in rental white. And the Malibu is 33% fleet, I wouldn’t consider that a great improvement to their past practices, especially for a brand new car they said would not go to fleets.

Edit: Just found the direct link to the full report:
http://www.automotive-fleet.com/Statistics/StatsViewer.aspx?file=http%3a%2f%2fwww.automotive-fleet.com%2ffc_resources%2fstats%2f2008-MY-Midyear-Registrations.pdf&channel=

Anyway, the S40 is 3,766 retail sales and 3,599 fleet sales (1,586 commercial, 1 government, 2,012 rental). So, most of the fleet sales are going to daily rentals for the S40, but a decently-sized chunk are also going to commercial fleets.

I’ll bet that most of them are corporate fleet sales. Outside salespeople, that sort of thing.

They are always on these fleet sale lists, not sure where they end up. I do a lot of business travel and never see these kciking around the rental lots. Maybe I’m just flying to the wrong airports.

Amazing.

BTW…could someone post the direct link to the fleet numbers for all models? I have been searching the web site and cannot find it at all.

Although it is interesting to see Volvo, Mazda and other brands increasing their fleets. But I guess its proof that anyone will get what fleet sales they can.

As for the Mazda 6, Mazda is trying to move their old body style 6 in advance of the new 2009 model. I would expect that number to drop significantly next year.

OK, enough humor — this just shows you how important it is for GM to have a couple of cars that they can claim are in the top 10. They’d rather build them on triple shifts and sell them on the cheap than just make fewer of them and develop a better replacement. And they wonder why some of us are critical of their management…

http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Lot/3178/equip01.jpg

Now I’m intrigued. Are sororities buying in bulk now? ;)