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Only the Mini survived the bloodbath. (cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?p=174485)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2009_Toyota_Yaris_5-Door.jpgWayne Gerdes - CleanMPG (www.cleanmpg.com) - Dec. 15, 2008

The 2009 Yaris 5-Door. Yaris 2008 sales are still positive versus 2007.

Toyota not only added a five-door Liftback to its Yaris model line, for 2009, all Yaris’ now feature (ABS), front seat-mounted side airbags and front and rear curtain side airbags as standard equipment.

As most here know, Yaris owners have achieved excellent fuel economy over the years and for 2008, Yaris was awarded the lowest cost of ownership in its segment according to Intellichoice®.

Fuel Efficient Non-Hybrids

The Big 5 fuel efficient non-hybrids sales are still holding onto a year over year sales increase of 6.8 percent but cracks are beginning to appear in the fuel misers total sales. Fortunately, a positive sales number is a great year while many other segments in the industry are off over 60%. Only the Mini Cooper saw a positive month over month sales increase as most manufacturers experienced the worst sales declines since the great depression.

This month, the Toyota Corolla is still the sales leader with 21,807 units sold, a decrease of 12.8 percent vs. November of 07. For the year, the Corolla is off by 4.4 percent vs. the same 07 YTD sales period.

The Civic had another severe November sales setback as sales fell by an unheard of 29.6 percent with 17,690 units sold. For the year however, sales are still up 5.6 percent.

Although the Fit had its first truly “off month” in its short North American history, its monthly sales surpassed its rival, the Yaris. November sales of 4,909 vehicles yielded a decrease of 8.4% compared to the November 2007 sales period. For the year however, The Fit is still holding onto the “Best in Class” 45.2 percent increase vs. 07 YTD.

The Toyota Yaris subcompact saw 4,545 units sold in November. This was a decrease of 16.6 percent vs. the same period a year ago yet the Yaris still holds a 23.0 percent increase YTD vs. 07.

As described above, MINI Cooper sales are still increasing. In November, Mini sales increased by 43.1 percent to 4,545 vehicles from 3,177 units sold during the same period a year ago. Amazingly, the Yaris and Mini sold the exact number of units in November. For the year, the Mini has a 31.3 percent increase over the 07 YTD sales period.

The Smart Fortwo was received by 1,889 new owners in November and for the 08 model year, 22,281 vehicles have been sold.

In Canada, Toyota's overall sales were up 1.9 percent vs. November 2007. The highlight being the Corolla, up 61.5 percent increase to 3,229 vehicles vs. the same period in 2007.

November 2008 Fuel Efficient Non-Hybrid Sales Summary

||Month to Date|||Year to Date|
Make and Model|November 2008|November 2007|DSR* % Change|November 2008|November 2007|DSR* % Change|
Toyota Corolla|21,807|25,012|-12.8%|328,878|342,808|-4.4%
Honda Civic**|17,690|25,141|-29.6%|321,987|303,905|+5.6%
Honda Fit|4,909|5,361|-8.4%|74,755|51,314|+45.2%
Toyota Yaris|4,545|5,448|-16.6%|97,911|79,322|+23.0%
Mini Cooper|4,545|3,177|+43.1%|50,511|38,483|+31.3%
Smart Fortwo|1,889|NA|NA|22,281|NA|NA
DSR*: Daily Selling Rate - There were 25 selling days for the November 2008 sales period, same as in 2007. There were 282 days 08 YTD vs. 281 days YTD in 2007.
** Honda Civic sales include the HCH-II.

Hybrid’s

2008 Hybrid sales have been in a slow decline all year but the falloff appears to be accelerating as gasoline prices fell and the automobile market is experienced the freefall. As November came to a close, every major hybrid saw large percentage sales declines vs. the year ago period.

The Toyota Prius posted November sales of 8,660, a drop of 48.3 percent from the November of 2007 sales period. The Prius’ year over year sales are down 9.9 percent with vehicles now available on dealership lots across the country. Quite a change from just 6 months ago in fact.

The Toyota Camry Hybrid achieved sales of 2,174, down 57.5 percent vs. the November 2007 sales period. Year over year sales are showing a decline of 10.7 percent compared to the 2007 cumulative sales totals.

The Honda Civic Hybrid total sales fell 67.8 percent to just 1,043 units sold. For the year, the HCH-II is still showing a 2.7 percent increase YTD.

The HiHy sold 907 units, down 64.8 percent for the November 2008 vs. November 2007 comparison period. Year over year, this SUV based hybrid is down 4.3 percent.

The FEH/MMH twins' sales for November were down 38.8 percent for the month and down 19.9 percent for the year.

The Lexus RX 400h hybrid reported sales of 624 units for the month, down 62.7 percent vs. the year ago sales period. For the year, sales are off by 10.3 percent vs. 2007.

The sales of GM’s hybrids show a total of 1,335 vehicles delivered in the month of November. These included 404 Chevrolet Tahoe, 190 GMC Yukon and 173 Cadillac Escalade 2-mode SUVs plus 195 Chevrolet Malibu’s, 45 Saturn Aura’s and 328 Vue hybrids delivered in November. GM has sold 11,884 hybrids in 2008.

Overall sales for the Big 6 Hybrid’s are down by 9.2 percent for the year. Although a positive given the general automobile market condition, with gas prices falling into the $1.50 - $1.75 per gallon range nationwide, sales looking forward will probably not be reaching the highs seen earlier this spring for some time to come.

November 2008 Hybrid Sales Summary

||Month to Date|||Year to Date|
Make and Model|November 2008|November 2007|DSR* % Change|November 2008|November 2007|DSR* % Change|
Toyota Prius|8,660|16,737|-48.3%|151,025|167,009|-9.9%
Toyota Camry Hybrid|2,174|5,118|-57.5%|44,384|49,508|-10.7%
Honda Civic Hybrid|1,043|3,238|-67.8%|30,261|29,352|+2.7%
Toyota Highlander Hybrid|907|2,577|-64.8%|18,501|19,261|-4.3%
Ford Escape Hybrid/Mercury Mariner Hybrid|1,361|2,224|-38.8%|18,373|22,843|-19.9%
Lexus RX400h|624|1,674|-62.7%|13,737|15,259|-10.3%
DSR*: Daily Selling Rate - There were 25 selling days for the November 2008 sales period, same as in 2007. There were 282 days 08 YTD vs. 281 days YTD in 2007.

Big 5 Manufacturers Overall

For the Monthly comparison every manufacturer saw severe sales declines. Chrysler sales were off 47 percent, GM sales were off 41 percent, Toyota sales were down 33.9 percent, Honda was off 31.6 percent with Ford, Mercury and Lincoln combined sales off 30 percent. All in, November took everyone out to the wood shed.

I really don't understand the Fit. It costs so much for how much car you get. I'd rather get a Civic for about the same amount of money.

Base Fit: $14,750
Base Civic: $15,305

And the Civic gets better gas mileage.

I really don't understand the Fit. It costs so much for how much car you get. I'd rather get a Civic for about the same amount of money.

Base Fit: $14,750
Base Civic: $15,305

And the Civic gets better gas mileage.

Well, they get the same combined mileage, have the same passenger volume (4 dr civic), the Fit has 9 more cu ft of cargo space (75% more), the Fit is cheaper. Fit has more cargo flexibility. Civic has a bigger engine, so likely more HP, I did not check.

Both great cars. If you want a sub-compact sedan, that's a Civic. If you want a small wagon, that's a Fit

Honda Civic Hybrid down -67.8%?
I wonder if any dealers are lowering their prices to move this model before the new
(low cost) Insight comes out in the spring??

On the Civic DX, the AM/FM radio/CD player is optional (audio speakers are a separate option?), but standard on the Fit.

On the Sentra and Corolla the AM/FM radio/CD player is standard.

If they would put a real dash in the Yaris 3 door and Yota get rid of there stuck up dealers I would buy one. The Yaris is a camp little buzz bomb. But I hate having to feel like I need a body condom and a B___ P___ to walk on one of there dealers lots.

I love the Yaris. It's too bad that that the A/C isn't electrically driven though. It would make the car a little more efficient and make my EV conversion a whole lot easier as A/C is a must here in Texas.

The Pilot's results surprised me but that was one of the few vehicles I sold in Nov. This month seems to be back to responsibly sized vehicles, with slightly used vehicles dominating the charts.

I am afraid it shows in their profits also. See

http://www.forbes.com/markets/equities/2008/12/17/honda-cuts-guidance-markets-equity-cx_twdd_1217markets3.html

Honda has changed the second half to a $1.4 billion loss.

Toyota has changed to a second half loss of $4.2 billion.

Frank

Couple of thoughts:
1) Most FE car sales volumes are down, but the FSPs are being massacred. FE remains the best segment.

2) Prius and HCH sales less than would be if the Prius III, HI-II, FFH, etc releases were not approaching.

3) I see people buying FSPs here in late Dec out of fear the 6000 pound tax depreciation break will be repealed. Makes me sick when they are actually wanting a slightly smaller vehicle. If not repealed, we need some further way to qualify for the break by showing cargo/passenger needs in the business that cannot be met with more FE options.