Highlights include the Civic, Aveo and Prius.
Wayne Gerdes -
CleanMPG - Feb. 6, 2010
2010 Honda Civic - $15,655 to start and 29 mpgUS combined.
While the hybrid sales are in decline, the tried and true Civic is not only holding its own but actually picking up a few points of market share in this very competitive segment. We are hopeful for an all-new design in 2011 although it may be later in that same year before we see it?
2010 Honda Civic at a glance
The 2010 Honda Civic lineup includes a number of trims, the Sedan and Coupe models, a Civic Hybrid, a high-performance Civic Si and a dedicated natural gas-powered Civic GX.
Enhancements carried over from 2009 include recently refreshed exterior and interior styling features comprised of updated headlight and taillight combinations; new alloy wheel designs for Civic EX, Civic EX-L and Civic Si; and updated seating cloth materials for a more premium interior feel.
The entire line-up maintains a standard array of safety technologies including Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure; side curtain airbags; driver’s and front passenger’s side airbags with a passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS); and dual-stage, dual-threshold driver’s and front passenger’s airbags (SRS). Active front seat head restraints are designed to help reduce the likelihood of neck injury in the event of a rear collision.
Standard active safety features include an anti-lock brake system (ABS) and electronic brake distribution, front seatbelts with an automatic tensioning system, and a pedestrian injury mitigation design incorporated into the front exterior of the vehicle. Driver and front passenger seatbelt reminders and daytime running lights are also standard equipment. The Civic EX-L, Civic Si and Civic Hybrid include Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSAฎ).
Fuel Efficient Non-Hybrids
In order to offer a complete picture of the progress in fuel efficient vehicle sales, CleanMPG will report 2010 overall monthly sales with the comparison months from both 2009 and 2008.
The “Big 7” fuel efficient non-hybrids February 2010 sales of 45,905 vehicles was down 5.6% percent compared to February 2009’s 48,621 vehicles sold. When compared to February of 2008’s 62,500 vehicles sold, the trend for the fuel efficient non-hybrids is down strongly.
The Toyota Corolla posted sales of 16,996 vehicles in February; a decrease of 6.1 percent vs. February of 2009’s 18,103 vehicles sold. For comparisons sake, there was 21,202 Corolla’s sold in February of 2008.
The Honda Civic posted sales of 16,471 vehicles in February; an increase of 5.0 percent vs. February of 2009’s 15,687. 2010 still has quite a ways to go before catching up to the 23,799 Civics sold in February of 2008.
The Toyota Yaris posted sales of 4,138 vehicles in February; a decline of 13.4 percent vs. February of 2009’s 4,779 vehicles sold. For comparison, 9,758 Yaris were sold in February of 2008. This equates to less than half 2008’s sales volume.
The Honda Fit began the year with a very poor showing. The Fit posted sales of 2,925 vehicles in February; a 31.1 percent decline vs. February of 2009’s 4,247 vehicles sold. This February’s sales were down significantly vs. the 4,326 Fit’s sold in February of 2008.
The Mini posted sales of 2,871 vehicles in February; a 1.6 percent increase vs. February of 2009 when 2,826 vehicles were sold. Both are down when compared to February 2008 when 3,418 vehicles were sold.
The Chevrolet Aveo posted sales of 2,062 vehicles in February; up a strong 31.8 percent compared to February 2009 when just 1,564 vehicles were sold. Compared to the 3,300 vehicles sold in February 2008 however, last month’s sales uptick is off significantly.
The Smart Fortwo posted sales of 442 vehicles in February; down 68.8 percent compared to February 2009 when 1,415 vehicles were purchased. In February of 2008, 1,101 Smart’s were sold in a shortened sales February launch month.
VW Jetta and Jetta Sportwagen TDI sales for the month of February were not reported unfortunately.
February 2010 Fuel Efficient Non-Hybrid Sales Summary
| | | Month to Date | | | Year to Date | |
| Make and Model | Feb. 2010 | Feb. 2009 | DSR* % Change | Feb. 2010 | Feb. 2009 | DSR* % Change |
| Toyota Corolla | 16,996 | 18,103 | -6.1% | 34,117 | 37,341 | -4.8% |
| Honda Civic** | 16,471 | 15,687 | +5.0% | 31,164 | 29,885 | +8.6% |
| Toyota Yaris | 4,138 | 4,779 | -13.4% | 7,814 | 9,219 | -11.7% |
| Honda Fit | 2,925 | 4,247 | -31.1% | 5,622 | 8,992 | -34.9% |
| Mini Cooper | 2,871 | 2,826 | +1.6% | 5,118 | 4,908 | +8.6% |
| Chevrolet Aveo | 2,062 | 1,564 | +31.8% | 4,105 | 3,159 | +35.4% |
| Smart Fortwo | 442 | 1,415 | -68.8% | 720 | 3,191 | -76.5% |
DSR*: Daily Selling Rate - There were 24 selling days in both Feb. of 2010 and Feb. of 2009. YTD, 2010 and 2009 had 48 and 50 selling days respectively.
** Honda Civic sales include the HCH-II.
Hybrid’s
The 2010 Prius was once again the only hybrid being purchased in volumes above its February 2009 sales levels.
The “Big 6” excluding the Insight-II, Fusion and HS hybrids (they have not yet achieved a complete year of sales) February 2010 sales of 11,336 vehicles was down 21.4 percent vs. February of 2009’s 14,426 vehicles purchased. Compared to 2008’s 21,651 “Big 6” hybrids vehicles sold, this year is not having a good start.
The Toyota Prius posted sales of 7,968 vehicles in February; an increase of 10.2 percent vs. February of 2009’s 7,232 vehicle sold. Compared to February 2008’s 10,893 vehicles sold however, the third generation Prius is having a tough time against its predecessor in the current market environment.
The Toyota Camry Hybrid posted sales of just 1,011 vehicles in February; down 51.4 percent compared to February 2009 when 2,080 TCH’s were sold. Considering February of 2008 when 4,121 TCH’s were sold, a second generation redesign is in order.
The Honda Insight-II sales are holding their own. The HI-II posted sales of 2,014 vehicles in February; up considerably from January 2009’s 1,307 vehicles sold.
Honda’s hybrid flagship, the Honda Civic Hybrid posted sales of 346 vehicles in February; down 74.6 percent compared to the 1,362 vehicles sold in February of 2009. Another stark comparison is that 1,808 vehicles were sold in February of 2008.
Ford’s Fusion and Mercury Milan Hybrid posted sales of 1,317 vehicles in February. This is up significantly from the 1,152 vehicles sold in January of 2010.
The Ford Escape and Mariner Hybrids posted sales of just 782 vehicles in February; down 39.6 percent from February 2009 sales of 1,294 vehicles. Compared to the 1,743 vehicles sold in February of 2008, this hybrid vehicles popularity is headed in the wrong direction as well.
The HiHy achieved sales of 339 vehicles in February; down 64.5 percent compared to February 2009 when 956 vehicles were sold. Compared to 2008’s 1,938 vehicles purchased… Can Hybrid sales be any worse?
The Lexus divisions new HS 250h posted sales of 712 vehicles in February; down 535 vehicles from January’s 1,247 vehicles sold.
The RX 450h posted sales of 890 vehicles in February; down 40.7 percent compared to February 2009 when 1,502 vehicles were sold. Compared to 2008’s sales of 1,148 vehicles, it’s a very mixed picture.
February 2010 Hybrid Sales Summary
| | | Month to Date | | | Year to Date | |
| Make and Model | Feb. 2010 | Feb. 2009 | DSR* % Change | Feb. 2010 | Feb. 2009 | DSR* % Change |
| Toyota Prius | 7,968 | 7,232 | +10.2% | 16,452 | 15,353 | +11.6% |
| Toyota Camry Hybrid | 1,011 | 2,080 | -51.4% | 1,878 | 3,221 | -39.3% |
| Honda Insight-II | 2,014 | NA | NA | 3,221 | NA | NA |
| Honda Civic Hybrid | 346 | 956 | -64.5% | 865 | 1,940 | -74.4% |
| Ford Fusion/Mercury Milan Hybrid | 1,317 | NA | NA | 2,469 | NA | NA |
| Ford Escape Hybrid/Mercury Mariner Hybrid | 782 | 1,294 | -39.6% | 1,497 | 2,174 | -28.3% |
| Toyota Highlander Hybrid | 339 | 956 | -64.5% | 865 | 1,940 | -53.6% |
| Lexus RX450h | 890 | 1,502 | -40.7% | 1,906 | 3,058 | -35.1% |
| Lexus HS 250h | 712 | NA | NA | 1,959 | NA | NA |
DSR*: Daily Selling Rate - There were 24 selling days in both Feb. of 2010 and Feb. of 2009. YTD, 2010 and 2009 had 48 and 50 selling days respectively.
Big 6 Manufacturers Overall
For the Monthly comparison, sales were flat or rose for the Big 6 other than Toyota. Toyota was still having trouble overcoming the Sudden Acceleration recalls and incidents last month.
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