xcel
06-05-2008, 01:32 AM
While P/U’s and SUV sales are literally disappearing, the fuel efficient vehicles are in some cases picking up steam! (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?p=104422)
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Mini_Cooper_Clubman.jpgWayne Gerdes - CleanMPG (www.cleanmpg.com) - June 4, 2008
The fun to drive 2008 Mini Cooper S Clubman - 26 mpg city, 34 mpg highway and 29 mpg combined.
The Mini Cooper - “From the original to the original”, the classic 1959 Mini evolved. With its retro looks, modern convenience and safety feature’s and above all, excellent performance with good Fuel economy, the Mini is not just making a statement but stating it has arrived.
Hybrids
Hybrids had a tough month and even though sales for the Big 6 are up 4.7% year over year, on a monthly basis, some chinks in the armor appeared.
The Toyota Prius posted May sales of 15,011, a surprisingly steep falloff of 39.8% from the May of 2007 reporting period. With the large monthly sales decline, the Prius’ year over year 08 sales vs. 07 is still up marginally at 2.2%. Toyota reported “limited availability” for the most popular hybrid on the market which fly’s in the face of demand currently running at an almost desperate level.
The Honda Civic Hybrid saw total sales of 4,676 sold, down .4% compared to the May 2007 sales period. The HCH-II is still up 15.6% year to date however.
The Toyota Camry Hybrid achieved sales of 5,999 units, down a surprising 15.7% vs. the May 2007 sales period. Year over year sales are still up by over 20% compared to the 2007 cumulative sales totals. Again, with shortages of the TCH reported across the country, why the shortage of supply?
The HiHy sold 2,644 units, down 23.1% for the May 2008 vs. May 2007 comparison period. Year over year, the SUV based hybrid is down almost 5%.
The Lexus RX 400h hybrid reported sales of 2,155 units for the month, up 18.9% vs. the year ago sales period. For the year, sales are up 7% vs. 2007.
The FEH/MMH twins' sales levels proved to be dismal as well with just 2,378 units sold vs. 3,214 a year ago. The 28.8% fall off from May 07 sales is yet another question when most dealers cannot seem to get there hands on one to sell. Year over year is showing a drop of 8.7%. Internal sources at Ford blame a shortage of NiMH batteries from supplier Sanyo. We shall see?
Fuel Efficient Non-Hybrids
The Big 5 fuel efficient non-hybrids sales are really accelerating with a year over year increase of 11.7%. As gasoline prices hold near $4.00 per gallon, the Honda Civic outsold every model available in the US including the Ford’s F-150. This was the first month since the early 90s that a car, not a pickup, was the best selling vehicle in the United States.
The sales leader in the fuel-efficient non-hybrid compact segment is the Honda Civic. Total sales including the hybrid of 53,299 show an increase of 28.3% over the May sales period a year ago.
And right on the Civic’s heels was the 2009 Corolla which made a comeback of sorts breaking the past few month over month sales declines. 52,286 units were sold in the month, an increase of 12.4% vs. the year-ago period. It will be a very interesting sales battle with just 473 vehicles separating the sales leading Civic from the redesigned Corolla in May.
The Toyota Yaris subcompact had another excellent month with 14,397 units sold yielding an increase of 26.6% vs. the same period a year ago.
The Honda Fit’s total May sales of 8,205 vehicles also proved to be a success with an increase of 47.4% over May of 2007 sales.
The sales leader on a percentage basis proved to be the B-Class sized performance oriented but fuel efficient MINI Cooper. Sales for the month of May were up 52.8% to 6,312 cars compared to 4,130 sold during the same period a year ago.
Finally the Smart Fortwo saw 2,695 units sold last month.
May 2008 Hybrid Sales Summary
||Month to Date|||Year to Date|
Make and Model|May 2008|May 2007|DSR* % Change|May 2008|May 2007|DSR* % Change|
Toyota Prius|15,011|24,009|-39.8%|79,675|76,747|+2.2%
Toyota Camry Hybrid|5,999|6,853|-15.7%|27,478|22,540|+20.0%
Honda Civic Hybrid|4,676|4,520|-0.4%|16,322|13,895|+15.6%
Toyota Highlander Hybrid|2,644|3,312|-23.1%|11,542|11,909|+4.6%
Ford Escape Hybrid/Mercury Mariner Hybrid|2,378|3,214|-28.8%|9,510|10,946|-14.5%
Lexus RX400h|2,155|1,746|+18.9%|7,708|7,095|+7.0%
May2008 Fuel Efficient Non-Hybrid Sales Summary
||Month to Date|||Year to Date|
Make and Model|May 2008|May 2007|DSR* % Change|May 2008|May 2007|DSR* % Change|
Honda Civic|53,299|39,993|+28.3%|164,994|137,288|+18.3%
Toyota Corolla|52,826|45,238|+12.4%|152,308|165,722|-9.5%
Toyota Yaris|14,397|10,949|+26.6%|56,208|37,367|+48.1%
Honda Fit|8,205|5,361|+47.4%|29,784|18,156|+61.5%
Mini Cooper|6,312|4,130|+52.8%|21,189|15,585|+36.0%
Smart Fortwo|2,695|NA|NA|8,854|NA|NA
DSR*: Daily Selling Rate - There were 27 selling days for the May 2008 sales period vs. 26 in 2007. There were 129 days 08 YTD vs. 127 days YTD in 2007.
Big 5 Manufacturers Overall
For the Calendar Year to Date, Chrysler sales are off 19%, GM sales are down 16.1%, Ford, Mercury and Lincoln combined sales are off 15.8% and Toyota is down an unexpected 7.9%. Honda is still holding onto a year over year sales increase of 3.1% thanks in large part to the Civic’s success.
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Mini_Cooper_Clubman.jpgWayne Gerdes - CleanMPG (www.cleanmpg.com) - June 4, 2008
The fun to drive 2008 Mini Cooper S Clubman - 26 mpg city, 34 mpg highway and 29 mpg combined.
The Mini Cooper - “From the original to the original”, the classic 1959 Mini evolved. With its retro looks, modern convenience and safety feature’s and above all, excellent performance with good Fuel economy, the Mini is not just making a statement but stating it has arrived.
Hybrids
Hybrids had a tough month and even though sales for the Big 6 are up 4.7% year over year, on a monthly basis, some chinks in the armor appeared.
The Toyota Prius posted May sales of 15,011, a surprisingly steep falloff of 39.8% from the May of 2007 reporting period. With the large monthly sales decline, the Prius’ year over year 08 sales vs. 07 is still up marginally at 2.2%. Toyota reported “limited availability” for the most popular hybrid on the market which fly’s in the face of demand currently running at an almost desperate level.
The Honda Civic Hybrid saw total sales of 4,676 sold, down .4% compared to the May 2007 sales period. The HCH-II is still up 15.6% year to date however.
The Toyota Camry Hybrid achieved sales of 5,999 units, down a surprising 15.7% vs. the May 2007 sales period. Year over year sales are still up by over 20% compared to the 2007 cumulative sales totals. Again, with shortages of the TCH reported across the country, why the shortage of supply?
The HiHy sold 2,644 units, down 23.1% for the May 2008 vs. May 2007 comparison period. Year over year, the SUV based hybrid is down almost 5%.
The Lexus RX 400h hybrid reported sales of 2,155 units for the month, up 18.9% vs. the year ago sales period. For the year, sales are up 7% vs. 2007.
The FEH/MMH twins' sales levels proved to be dismal as well with just 2,378 units sold vs. 3,214 a year ago. The 28.8% fall off from May 07 sales is yet another question when most dealers cannot seem to get there hands on one to sell. Year over year is showing a drop of 8.7%. Internal sources at Ford blame a shortage of NiMH batteries from supplier Sanyo. We shall see?
Fuel Efficient Non-Hybrids
The Big 5 fuel efficient non-hybrids sales are really accelerating with a year over year increase of 11.7%. As gasoline prices hold near $4.00 per gallon, the Honda Civic outsold every model available in the US including the Ford’s F-150. This was the first month since the early 90s that a car, not a pickup, was the best selling vehicle in the United States.
The sales leader in the fuel-efficient non-hybrid compact segment is the Honda Civic. Total sales including the hybrid of 53,299 show an increase of 28.3% over the May sales period a year ago.
And right on the Civic’s heels was the 2009 Corolla which made a comeback of sorts breaking the past few month over month sales declines. 52,286 units were sold in the month, an increase of 12.4% vs. the year-ago period. It will be a very interesting sales battle with just 473 vehicles separating the sales leading Civic from the redesigned Corolla in May.
The Toyota Yaris subcompact had another excellent month with 14,397 units sold yielding an increase of 26.6% vs. the same period a year ago.
The Honda Fit’s total May sales of 8,205 vehicles also proved to be a success with an increase of 47.4% over May of 2007 sales.
The sales leader on a percentage basis proved to be the B-Class sized performance oriented but fuel efficient MINI Cooper. Sales for the month of May were up 52.8% to 6,312 cars compared to 4,130 sold during the same period a year ago.
Finally the Smart Fortwo saw 2,695 units sold last month.
May 2008 Hybrid Sales Summary
||Month to Date|||Year to Date|
Make and Model|May 2008|May 2007|DSR* % Change|May 2008|May 2007|DSR* % Change|
Toyota Prius|15,011|24,009|-39.8%|79,675|76,747|+2.2%
Toyota Camry Hybrid|5,999|6,853|-15.7%|27,478|22,540|+20.0%
Honda Civic Hybrid|4,676|4,520|-0.4%|16,322|13,895|+15.6%
Toyota Highlander Hybrid|2,644|3,312|-23.1%|11,542|11,909|+4.6%
Ford Escape Hybrid/Mercury Mariner Hybrid|2,378|3,214|-28.8%|9,510|10,946|-14.5%
Lexus RX400h|2,155|1,746|+18.9%|7,708|7,095|+7.0%
May2008 Fuel Efficient Non-Hybrid Sales Summary
||Month to Date|||Year to Date|
Make and Model|May 2008|May 2007|DSR* % Change|May 2008|May 2007|DSR* % Change|
Honda Civic|53,299|39,993|+28.3%|164,994|137,288|+18.3%
Toyota Corolla|52,826|45,238|+12.4%|152,308|165,722|-9.5%
Toyota Yaris|14,397|10,949|+26.6%|56,208|37,367|+48.1%
Honda Fit|8,205|5,361|+47.4%|29,784|18,156|+61.5%
Mini Cooper|6,312|4,130|+52.8%|21,189|15,585|+36.0%
Smart Fortwo|2,695|NA|NA|8,854|NA|NA
DSR*: Daily Selling Rate - There were 27 selling days for the May 2008 sales period vs. 26 in 2007. There were 129 days 08 YTD vs. 127 days YTD in 2007.
Big 5 Manufacturers Overall
For the Calendar Year to Date, Chrysler sales are off 19%, GM sales are down 16.1%, Ford, Mercury and Lincoln combined sales are off 15.8% and Toyota is down an unexpected 7.9%. Honda is still holding onto a year over year sales increase of 3.1% thanks in large part to the Civic’s success.