Homework Assignment: Analyze October Sales Details (Links Provided)

Paul Niedermeyer
by Paul Niedermeyer

We’re a little short-staffed right now (always?), the boss is on the road, and I’m a little bleary from my first day at the helm, so instead of staying up all night building spreadsheets,I’m going to give all you number junkies the links to the various companies’ press releases and their own detail tables and charts. Please share your thoughtful analysis with the rest of us lazy bums.

GM Ford Chrysler Toyota Honda Nissan Hyundai Subaru Mitsubishi Suzuk i VW Daimler BMW

Update: here’s an excellent set of charts and data at WSJ

Paul Niedermeyer
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  • Durwood Durwood on Nov 04, 2009

    I think all car companies have to have the msrp be close or they won't sell. People can go price cars now at each car companies website to compare against different brands. All i hear from some on here is how Fords prices were way out of line. Yet when i go price them against the competition like Toyota they are cheaper. A Fusion sport v6 was over a thousand cheaper then a comparably equipped camry. The new Taurus priced out cheaper then the Avalon and the Fusion and Taurus both had some options on them not available from Toyota.

  • Bunter1 Bunter1 on Nov 04, 2009

    Bridge2farr-Some items to consider. Last October sales GM -45% Ford -30% CryCo -35% Toy -23% Honda -28% GMs numbers only appear up because last October was a disaster, far worse than anyone else, and they piled more cash on the hood. In the real world they had an awful month, this is no rebound. Toyotas market share is steady with last year, GM off over 2% YTD. Ford is up nearly a full point YTD. Who's sinking? (Source: WSJ monthly statistics page). Hyundia's quality poor? Hey, the 90s are over. These guys passed GM and Cryco long ago. They are even ahead of Ford. In the latest CR survey only two Hyundia/Kia models were below average in reliability (GM put about 56% below that line). They are knocking on Toyondas numbers. Toyota even admits this is the one company that worries them. Never thought I would say it but Hyundia is on the threshold of being a great company. Well take it easy, but don't put any big bets on the General. Best regards, Bunter

  • Dr.Nick What about Infiniti? Some of those cars might be interesting, whereas not much at Nissan interest me other than the Z which is probably big bucks.
  • Dave Holzman My '08 Civic (stick, 159k on the clock) is my favorite car that I've ever owned. If I had to choose between the current Civic and Corolla, I'd test drive 'em (with stick), and see how they felt. But I'd be approaching this choice partial to the Civic. I would not want any sort of automatic transmission, or the turbo engine.
  • Merc190 I would say Civic Si all the way if it still revved to 8300 rpm with no turbo. But nowadays I would pick the Corolla because I think they have a more clear idea on their respective models identity and mission. I also believe Toyota has a higher standard for quality.
  • Dave Holzman I think we're mixing up a few things here. I won't swear to it, but I'd be damned surprised if they were putting fire retardant in the seats of any cars from the '50s, or even the '60s. I can't quite conjure up the new car smell of the '57 Chevy my parents bought on October 17th of that year... but I could do so--vividly--until the last five years or so. I loved that scent, and when I smelled it, I could see the snow on Hollis Street in Cambridge Mass, as one or the other parent got ready to drive me to nursery school, and I could remember staring up at the sky on Christmas Eve, 1957, wondering if I might see Santa Claus flying overhead in his sleigh. No, I don't think the fire retardant on the foam in the seats of 21st (and maybe late 20th) century cars has anything to do with new car smell. (That doesn't mean new car small lacked toxicity--it probably had some.)
  • ToolGuy Is this a website or a podcast with homework? You want me to answer the QOTD before I listen to the podcast? Last time I worked on one of our vehicles (2010 RAV4 2.5L L4) was this past week -- replaced the right front passenger window regulator (only problem turned out to be two loose screws, but went ahead and installed the new part), replaced a bulb in the dash, finally ordered new upper dash finishers (non-OEM) because I cracked one of them ~2 years ago.Looked at the mileage (157K) and scratched my head and proactively ordered plugs, coils, PCV valve, air filter and a spare oil filter, plus a new oil filter housing (for the weirdo cartridge-type filter). Those might go in tomorrow. Is this interesting to you? It ain't that interesting to me. 😉The more intriguing part to me, is I have noticed some 'blowby' (but is it) when the oil filler cap is removed which I don't think was there before. But of course I'm old and forgetful. Is it worth doing a compression test? Leakdown test? Perhaps if a guy were already replacing the plugs...
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