September saw big gains for Volkswagen and Honda, two brands that have been pilloried by the motoring press for apparently sub-par products, while Chrysler led the Big Three in gains, if not volume.
Honda and Acura combined sales were up 31 percent overall, with the CR-V posting a 14 percent gain in a very competitive crossover market. Kia and VW were up 35 and 38 percent overall, while Chrysler posted a 12 percent gain overall, while Ford sales were flat and GM posted a 2 percent gain. Over at Good Car Bad Car, Tim Cain has put together sales rankings for September, as well as some interesting observations on the winners and losers of this past month.
| Automaker | Sept. 2012 | Sept. 2011 | Pct. chng. | 9 month 2012 |
9 month 2011 |
Pct. chng. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW division | 21,761 | 21,750 | 0% | 186,397 | 177,679 | 5% |
| Mini | 4,899 | 3,999 | 23% | 48,531 | 41,635 | 17% |
| Rolls-Royce | 32 | 30 | 7% | 288 | 270 | 7% |
| BMW Group | 26,692 | 25,779 | 4% | 235,216 | 219,584 | 7% |
| Chrysler Division | 24,850 | 23,559 | 6% | 241,466 | 157,551 | 53% |
| Dodge | 47,356 | 40,075 | 18% | 391,912 | 345,444 | 14% |
| Dodge/Ram | 73,770 | 65,439 | 13% | 611,272 | 534,209 | 14% |
| Fiat | 4,176 | 2,773 | 51% | 32,742 | 13,861 | 136% |
| Jeep | 39,245 | 35,565 | 10% | 365,190 | 303,793 | 20% |
| Ram | 26,414 | 25,364 | 4% | 219,360 | 188,765 | 16% |
| Chrysler Group | 142,041 | 127,336 | 12% | 1,250,670 | 1,009,414 | 24% |
| Maybach | 4 | 3 | 33% | 36 | 27 | 33% |
| Mercedes-Benz | 24,950 | 23,428 | 7% | 207,027 | 182,510 | 13% |
| Smart USA | 1,030 | 469 | 120% | 7,311 | 3,757 | 95% |
| Daimler AG | 25,984 | 23,900 | 9% | 214,374 | 186,294 | 15% |
| Ford division | 167,652 | 167,842 | 0% | 1,621,188 | 1,534,622 | 6% |
| Lincoln | 6,802 | 7,018 | –3% | 63,880 | 64,841 | –2% |
| Mercury | – | – | –% | – | 248 | –100% |
| Ford Motor Co. | 174,454 | 174,860 | 0% | 1,685,068 | 1,599,711 | 5% |
| Buick | 14,673 | 13,599 | 8% | 137,262 | 140,092 | –2% |
| Cadillac | 12,579 | 12,741 | –1% | 103,512 | 113,190 | –9% |
| Chevrolet | 149,801 | 147,611 | 2% | 1,420,383 | 1,353,933 | 5% |
| GMC | 33,192 | 33,194 | 0% | 306,558 | 294,934 | 4% |
| General Motors | 210,245 | 207,145 | 2% | 1,967,715 | 1,902,149 | 3% |
| Acura | 14,366 | 10,010 | 44% | 115,773 | 89,146 | 30% |
| Honda Division | 102,845 | 79,522 | 29% | 950,685 | 770,651 | 23% |
| Honda (American) | 117,211 | 89,532 | 31% | 1,066,458 | 859,797 | 24% |
| Hyundai division | 60,025 | 52,051 | 15% | 539,814 | 492,914 | 10% |
| Kia | 48,105 | 35,609 | 35% | 434,914 | 367,405 | 18% |
| Hyundai Group | 108,130 | 87,660 | 23% | 974,728 | 860,319 | 13% |
| Jaguar | 1,004 | 1,111 | –10% | 9,550 | 9,315 | 3% |
| Land Rover | 3,636 | 2,740 | 33% | 31,674 | 25,650 | 24% |
| Jaguar Land Rover | 4,640 | 3,851 | 21% | 41,224 | 34,965 | 18% |
| Maserati | 269 | 198 | 36% | 1,984 | 1,705 | 16% |
| Mazda | 24,135 | 25,521 | –5% | 209,482 | 191,315 | 10% |
| Mitsubishi | 4,806 | 5,803 | –17% | 46,122 | 65,875 | –30% |
| Infiniti | 9,445 | 8,479 | 11% | 86,596 | 72,181 | 20% |
| Nissan Division | 82,462 | 84,485 | –2% | 779,888 | 701,898 | 11% |
| Nissan | 91,907 | 92,964 | –1% | 866,484 | 774,079 | 12% |
| Saab | – | 429 | –100% | – | 4,647 | –100% |
| Subaru | 27,683 | 20,934 | 32% | 245,463 | 195,550 | 26% |
| Suzuki | 1,921 | 2,026 | –5% | 19,149 | 20,284 | –6% |
| Lexus | 20,386 | 14,995 | 36% | 170,990 | 135,647 | 26% |
| Scion | 6,743 | 3,838 | 76% | 56,490 | 37,607 | 50% |
| Toyota division | 144,781 | 102,618 | 41% | 1,343,944 | 1,021,269 | 32% |
| Toyota/Scion | 151,524 | 106,456 | 42% | 1,400,434 | 1,058,876 | 32% |
| Toyota | 171,910 | 121,451 | 42% | 1,571,424 | 1,194,523 | 32% |
| Audi | 12,302 | 9,725 | 27% | 100,694 | 84,981 | 19% |
| Bentley | 239 | 151 | 58% | 1,644 | 1,260 | 31% |
| Lamborghini | 40 | 29 | 38% | 360 | 253 | 42% |
| Porsche | 2,736 | 2,170 | 26% | 25,015 | 22,664 | 10% |
| VW division | 36,339 | 27,036 | 34% | 323,089 | 235,459 | 37% |
| Volkswagen | 51,656 | 39,111 | 32% | 450,802 | 344,617 | 31% |
| Volvo Cars NA | 4,977 | 5,042 | –1% | 51,626 | 52,155 | –1% |
| TOTAL | 1,188,899 | 1,053,770 | 13% | 10,900,131 | 9,519,032 | 15% |
Numbers in this table are calculated by Automotive News based on actual monthly sales reported by the manufacturers and may differ from numbers reported elsewhere.
Source: Automotive News Data Center
Note: *Estimate
Reliability is a large problem with VW’s and Chrysler Vehicles every where imho! With VW’s there is the German Way for Repairs, anything else does not work.Chrysler has too many problems for them to be relaible, especially Electrical problems!
Funny, I own two Wranglers and a Stratus and they’ve all given me good service with minimal issues. But hey, if you say all Chrysler products must be bad, then I guess they must be, right?
Google “Wrangler death wobble”. Enough said…
Nowhere near enough said. But then again, I’m not lifted.
I still have a scar on my hand from wrenching on my girl friend’s 2004 JR platform POS. If you want the world’s best internet documentation on how to fix crap engineered parts, learn how to be a mechanic, and simultaneously scare your grandmother with your new found vocabulary, buy a Chrysler.
Death wobble isn’t solely a Wrangler phenomenon. 4WD Ford Super Duty trucks are plagued with this issue as well. Really any solid front axle vehicle can be affected.
It’s an inherent characteristic of the front suspension evident when track bar bushings, ball joints and steering dampers wear out. It’s also caused by using incorrect load range or size tires (gosh never seen that on a Wrangler or lifted pickup).
The bottom line is that it doesn’t occur in vehicles that are maintained to specification and are using quality OEM parts. Don’t bash Chrysler for a problem caused by negligent owners.
To TBCRacing.
The Death Wobble is not only a Wrangler problem, It is a Problem with all trucks with a solid front axle. Just google death wobble and a ford F250 is the first to pop up!!
So I would have to say not enough said!!
TCBRacing: Google Tacoma & Tundra ball joint separation…’nuff said.
Ford’s numbers are unsurprising. Most of the current FWD models tend to be priced higher than the models they replaced, i.e. Escape and Focus.
Nissan’s decline versus last September is a surprise. Around here, they are usually marked down more than either Honda, Subaru or Toyota.
You should actaully LOOK at the numbers, the Focus and Escape sales are UP! Ford is low since the Fusion is being replaced.
I did my part for Nissan by taking a Leaf home.
My car takes ME home. Did your Leaf run out of juice?
j/k!
Pretty funny.
I must confess to having some ‘range anxiety’, but I think the best thing to do is ignore the momentary spikes and dips it reports for capacity. Watching the range meter is like day-trading stocks.
My normal usage is modest, so I shouldn’t really have to worry.
Now I just have to put my Romney/Ryan sticker on it. :)
@gslippy:
Please keep us updated on your Leaf ownership experience. I’m very interested. Right now with my commute, one wouldn’t work for me – a Volt would be my choice, but out of my price range.
Submit a review to Derek and see if he’ll post it up. It would be interesting to see how it fits into your daily driving patterns.
@gslippy Congrats on the Leaf! Always glad to hear from people that actually own a particular vehicle.
I’ve overcome some of my initial apprehensions and now I’m thinking about some sort of plug-in. Right now I’m leaning more towards either a Fusion or C-Max Energi – and/or a Brammo. No, I’m not trying to save the planet or save on gas – I just happen to like electric power trains.
Congratulations on your Leaf! I like seeing people put their money where their month is. (And no, alas, I can’t afford a Tesla Model S just yet :( ).
Like others, I hope you’ll let us know about your ownership experience.
What part of the country do you live in? (In reference to the hot climate battery life issues.)
D
I live in western PA. The climate here sees a wide variety of temperatures, but usually doesn’t dwell at any extremes.
The Leaf is a lease. Nissan was offering $7500 off MSRP, but only for the lease, not for purchase (odd). I’ve never leased before, but I was lured by the terms and by some hesitation about battery durability.
Woah!! Gslippy, email me dkreindler at ttac dot com would love to get the input of someone who bought a Leaf…
Fiat seems to be doing OK. Can we have the Punto & the Strada now please?
Punto is so old now… maybe next version. Strada cant do crash standards.
The strada can’t do crash tests because it broke all the crash test equipment so no one could asses it and then the crash test dummies stole it.
I’d be primarily worried about Mitsubishi… they’re edging into Death Watch territory, I think.
Smart sold half as many cars last month as Suzuki. Both Suzuki and Mitsubishi should be on the Death Watch list.
Couple that with a nearly empty pipeline…
They did outsell Scion though. That is almost unbelievable to me.
Is Derek trying to avoid T word? Kind of strange not to mention #1 retail brand with 42% gain.
It’s the tsunami rebound.
However, Scion’s increase is surprising.
it is not just tsunami rebound, it is Toyota rebound.
In Sept 2010 they sold 147,162, and Sept 2009 they sold 126,015. It is their best September since 2007.
Scion is up 76% due to increased showroom traffic from FRS. They come to see FRS and then buy other cars as well.
…it is not just tsunami rebound, it is Toyota rebound.
In Sept 2010 they sold 147,162, and Sept 2009 they sold 126,015. It is their best September since 2007…
Well, if your torture numbers enough.
If we go back to September 2008 and the global financial meltdown, to say you’re having the best September since 2007, but not beating it, is more of a sign of a general economic comeback (US car sales predicted to be slightly over 15 million units this year, after dropping to under 10 million in 2009).
The whole industry is up – the 42% increase YoY 2011 to 2012 is about the tsunami first and foremost, and the improvement in some key products (2012 Camry jumps out) second, and the death of the Ford Ranger third.
Tacoma sales up almost 50% – and although I am only reading tea leaves, I would suspect that displaced Ranger buyers are going to about the only game in town for a quality small pickup (ya I know the Nissan Frontier, the Tacoma is as good as they get and the GM Colorado/Canyon twins are a joke)
Scion has a big problem despite the short term sales improvement.
The FR-S sold 1,133 units, a steep decline from the initial couple of months. Does that represent a tight inventory? It could with a turn of just 11 days.
So what are Scion buyers buying? xB sales? Up 27%. xD sales? Up 40%.
Ya – so what.
They are both canceled models with no replacement slated. The iQ sold an anemic 668 units.
The really only bright spot was the tC, up 25%. Is that because of the redesign (it was an older model last year) or is this FR-S shoppers coming in, kicking the tires and leaving with the cheaper tC.
But when xB and xD inventory is sold through – you’re looking at 3000 unit sales a month that go away with no viable model to cross shop.
I agree with your assessment that the FR-S is a halo car, but people aren’t going to walk into a Toyota/Scion dealer to look at a FR-S, and leave in an iQ.
APaGttH – not really. Toyota had drop of sales in US due to recalls as well in 2010. Now they are claeing marketshare back, while GM and Ford are losing it.
For instance, Toyota cant build enough Corolla’s and Rav4’s right now, with tight inventories for 6+ year old models… imagine what will happen next year when new ones come out.
As to the Scion, who says xD and xB are not going to be replaced by something else? It is only media speculating that right now, which is silly… they did that before tC got replaced with.. tC again.
But regardless, FRS is bringing showroom traffic to Scion which is making them sell more models even if there is no FRS in stock.
Nevertheless, real story is their old models – Corolla, Rav4, Highlander, Tacoma are all selling excellent and this is why we have Toyota gaining marketshare. It is also a proof that Toyota’s image is back otherwise who would get 6 year old Corolla or Rav4?
Keep in mind that Toyota has been real aggressive about pricing; not only in incentive spending, but dealers wheeling and dealing.
And earlier in the year, Toyota was selling a lot to fleet.
We’ll see how it stack up by the end of the year, but Toyota’s margins aren’t what they used to be.
“And earlier in the year, Toyota was selling a lot to fleet.”
That’s because the tsunami kept them from fullfilling their fleet orders last year. Their inventory hadn;t fully rebounded till the end of last year when they could make their deliveries to their fleet customers.
I was amazed that our local Toyota dealer was discounting Prius-Vs like crazy. My Mom got over $4K off MSRP for hers, and they gave her $1500 over Edmunds trade-in on her VW Routan. Considering she paid $15K under MSRP for the Routan new, she made out OK on the deal. With deals like that no wonder they are moving some metal. Have to wonder how the margins are though…
The Routan being BOTH a VW and a Chrysler product one would thing it would automatically be a disaster, but hers was perfect in 3 years and 35K. Not a single issue with it, other than she kept running into things with it!
I am surprsied that Mazda is doing so poorly. I thought the CX-5 would at least give them a shot in the arm.
CX-5 is doing OK, but not really built for US market, so their overall SUV sales are down… it is Mazda 3 that is pulling them out. Mazda 6 is down a lot too, even though they have plenty of stock…
best way i think of Mazda in USA: “Its a car that everyone wants to drive and nobody wants to buy”.
So…who bought those 4 Maybachs last month???
Did Baruth clone himself?
Collectors, since M-B is killing Maybach. Otherwise, there’s no good reason to have one.
Kind of a bummer for Cadillac. Their current models may not be to everyone’s taste, but they seem to me to have a pretty good line up generally.
*shrugs*
GM small cars did well. Verano 4,042 units – Sonic 7,525, Spark 2,223 and Cruze 25,787.
If you’re looking for a benchmark take a look at Honda (parent) and their comparative products.
The Acura ILX moved 1,737 units in comparison to the Verano.
The Fit moved 4,660 units in comparison to the Sonic.
I suspect the Cruze number in September is inflated given the 7K increase from last month with fleet sales.
I also suspect given the anemic Regal sales that the Regal is struggling to find a niche between the LaCrosse and the Verano and getting cannibalized on both sides.
Hell, GM sold almost twice as many Volts as Acura did ILXs.
Good title. “Breakdown”, VW and Chrysler all in the title
And is that car in the picture for the story a VW or an Impala with a VW logo?
Again glad to see the FIAT 500 doing ok – hopefully for FIAT/Chrysler it doesn’t go the way of the Pacer and fall off the sales chart in a couple of years.
What’s the story with BMW lately? Sales have been relatively flat over the past nine months. Capacity limitations or slow sales, especially on the new F30 3-series?
It would almost give me hope for BMW customers if they are resisting buying 4-cylinder, turbocharged 3-series with lobotomy scars over their grills.
I am also surprised BMW hasn’t been seeing a higher lift from the F30. And though I have seen a handful here in LA, I haven’t seen as many new F30s as I thought I would have by now. I think people coming out of E90s who don’t like the F30 for whatever reason — be it styling, high pricing, the options packages, etc. — are heading over to Audi. And they might start heading to Cadillac once the ATS ramps up. About that we shall see.
I do think that there are a combination of things that are hurting the F30. First of course, is the state of the economy. Pretty crappy for an awful lot of people, and the 1%ers don’t buy 3-series, other than for thier kids. Second is that many folks (quite rightly) won’t buy the first year of a new model. I sure wouldn’t! Thirdly, BMW’s new “trim line” bull$hit is KILLING them, per the sales guys at my local dealer. Have lost sales due to not being able to get the trim they want in the color scheme they want. They really need to loosen this up a lot. And finally the well publicized issues with the steering and the slightly odd styling here and there all add up to a good year for Audi.
My theory about it.
Many people discovered VW but not their quality problems, not yet – it will take 5 to 6 years for hangover take place and for mainstream customers to realize than German cars are expensive and headache to maintain (in America).
It is also well known fact that American public do not trust stuff from American companies and Chrysler is up because it is not American car company anymore. Chrysler claims their cars are imports now (even if from Detroit). If GM and Ford advertise their cars as “imported” as well they would do much better. Heck how life would be much better if we could also import Government, Congress and Healthcare as well.