Fusion and Insight-II hybrids launched while the rest of the hybrids are fuel efficient non-hybrids follow the overall market down.
Wayne Gerdes -
CleanMPG - April 4, 2009
2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid – $27,210 and a 39 mpgUS combined rating on the 08 EPA.
In March, while both fuel efficient hybrids and non-hybrids were off large percentages from the same period a year ago, the Fusion and Insight-II hybrids were launched. It will be interesting to see the FFH and Insight-II’s sales as the year progresses.
For 2010, the Ford Fusion delivers unsurpassed fuel economy with more power and advanced technology not available on anything in its class. It features more total passenger plus luggage capacity than the Toyota Camry Hybrid plus has been recently recognized as one of the highest quality vehicles available by both CR's and JD Power.
While the new exterior gives the Fusion a fresh and aggressive look, the interior has been spruced up to match the level of a mid to upper $20’s priced sedan.
About the FFH’s drivetrain and fuel economy. There is literally nothing available in the US and even the world that can match this full midsized sedans capability. At 39 mpgUS combined, this is 5 more mpg than the once class-leading Toyota Camry Hybrid. Everything else is just a shadow in the Fusion Hybrids rear view mirror. Adding to its the accolades, the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid transitions between gas and electric power and back almost seamlessly.
Fuel Efficient Non-Hybrids
The new “Big 7” fuel efficient non-hybrids sales saw an overall decline of 26.8 percent YTD vs. the same period in 2008. The only vehicle that escaped the fall-off was the Smart ForTwo as all manufacturers experienced yet another free fall in total sales.
Although the Corolla was bested by the Civic for a few months last year, that period appears to be over. Corolla saw 22,257 new owners in March, a decrease of 7.8 percent vs. March of 2008.
The Civic followed its parent almost % to % with a paltry sales month. March revealed 20,645 units sold, a decline of 34.4 percent vs. March of 2008. YTD sales were off 34 percent.
For the first time in memory, the Honda Fit saw a sales decrease in March with 5,300 units delivered, down 19.4 percent from March of 2008. For the year, sales are off 7.4 percent.
The Toyota Yaris is the one Toyota must be worried about as just 5,888 units sold in March, another sharp decrease of 52.7 percent vs. the same period a year ago. Of all the non-hybrid vehicles we track, the Yaris was the worst performer of the month by a good margin. For the year, sales are off 49.6 percent.
Mini’s sales fell for the third time with sales of 3,605 vehicles, down by 15.9 percent compared to the same period a year ago. For the year, sales are off 16.2%.
Sales of the Chevrolet Aveo revealed another decline but still better than its parent GM. The Aveo saw 2,285 new owners in March, down 35.7 percent from the year ago sales period. For the year, the Aveo’s sales are off 55.2 percent.
The Smart Fortwo was received by 1,746 new owners in March, up 4.7 percent compared to March of 2008.
March 2008 Fuel Efficient Non-Hybrid Sales Summary
| | | Month to Date | | | Year to Date | |
| Make and Model | March 2009 | March 2008 | DSR* % Change | March 2009 | March 2008 | DSR* % Change |
| Toyota Corolla | 22,257 | 25,109 | -7.8% | 55,598 | 67,047 | -9.9% |
| Honda Civic** | 20,645 | 32,740 | -34.4% | 50,530 | 77,532 | -34.0% |
| Honda Fit | 5,300 | 6,835 | -19.4% | 14,292 | 15,641 | -7.4% |
| Toyota Yaris | 5,888 | 12,953 | -52.7% | 15,107 | 30,377 | -49.6% |
| Mini Cooper | 3,605 | 4,289 | -15.9% | 8,513 | 10,164 | -16.2% |
| Chevrolet Aveo | 2,285 | 3,693 | -35.7% | 5,444 | 12,307 | -55.2% |
| Smart Fortwo | 1,746 | 1,734 | +4.7% | 4,937 | 3,476 | +43.9% |
DSR*: Daily Selling Rate - There were 25 selling days in the March 2009 sales period vs. 26 days in March 2008.
** Honda Civic sales include the HCH-II.
Hybrid’s
2009 Hybrid sales have now fallen off to slightly worse than the overall market declines for the year but its close. As March came to a close, every major hybrid saw large percentage sales declines other than the all-new Fusion and Insight-II vs. the year ago period.
The Toyota Prius posted March sales of 8,924, a decline of 55.4 percent from the March 2008 sales period. For the year, sales are off 42.7 percent. If you are looking for a deal, the base Prius has been reported picked up for less than $21K.
The Toyota Camry Hybrid posted March sales of 2,554, a decline of 61.7 percent from the March 2008 sales period. For the year, sales are off 60.5 percent. I do not know about TCH deals but with the Fusion Hybrid Juggernaut heading its way, I suspect deals will be plentiful if they are not already.
The Honda Civic Hybrid posted total sales of 2,869, down 20.8 percent vs. March of 2008. Just like the Prius, rumors of a $2,500 Factory to dealer cash are allowing these once “hot” hybrids to be picked up for under $20K in some locales!
The Honda Insight-II reported sales of 569 units for the month with a launch that occurred just 7 days before the month ended.
The HiHy sales posted March sales of 1,037 units, a decline of 51.8 percent from the March 2008 sales period. For the year, sales are off 52.3 percent.
The all-new Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan Hybrid reported sales of 451 units over the last and only week they were available in March.
The FEH/MMH twins' saw 1,351 units sold in March, down 30.0 percent compared to the same period in 2008. For the year, sales are off a depressing 31.6 percent.
The Lexus RX 400h hybrid reported sales of 1,165 units for the month, down 22.8 percent vs. the year ago sales period. For the year, sales are still up 8.9%.
Sales of GM’s hybrids saw a total of 1,612 vehicles delivered in the month of March and 3,622 hybrids YTD.
Overall sales for the Big 8 Hybrid’s are down almost 40 percent for 2009 (not including sales data for the TCH and HiHy) vs. the same period in 2008. This level of decline is now slightly lower than the than the overall market and with the large falloff in Prius sales, the percentages are probably going to be worse until the 2010 Prius is available in late May.
March 2009 Hybrid Sales Summary
| | | Month to Date | | | Year to Date | |
| Make and Model | March 2009 | March 2008 | DSR* % Change | March 2009 | March 2008 | DSR* % Change |
| Toyota Prius | 8,924 | 20,635 | -55.0% | 24,277 | 42,907 | -42.7% |
| Toyota Camry Hybrid | 2,554 | 6,930 | -61.7% | 5,775 | 14,801 | -60.5% |
| Honda Civic Hybrid | 2,869 | 3,769 | -20.8% | 5,307 | 7,322 | -26.6% |
| Honda Insight-II | 569 | NA | NA | 569 | NA | NA |
| Lexus RX400h | 1,165 | 1,570 | -22.8% | 4,223 | 3,929 | +8.9% |
| Ford Fusion/Mercury Milan Hybrid | 451 | NA | NA | 451 | NA | NA |
| Ford Escape Hybrid/Mercury Mariner Hybrid | 1,351 | 2,008 | -30.0% | 3,525 | 5,225 | -31.6% |
| Toyota Highlander Hybrid | 1,037 | 2,239 | -51.8% | 2,977 | 6,320 | -52.3% |
DSR*: Daily Selling Rate - There were 25 selling days for the March 2009 sales period vs. 26 days in March 2008.
Big 6 Manufacturers Overall
For the Monthly comparison, every manufacturer once again saw severe sales declines.
GM sales were down 45 percent,
Ford sales were down 41 percent,
Chrysler sales were down 39 percent,
Toyota sales were down 36.6 percent and
Honda sales were down 33.7 percent. Nissan sales were off 37.7 percent while reporting on a straight-percentage basis, unadjusted for the number of selling days in the month.
All in, yet another extremely poor sales month and I thought by now both GM and Chrysler would both be in bankruptcy protection by now.
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