May 09 Hybrid and fuel efficient non-hybrid sales – Most are way off :(

[xcel]

VW’s Jetta TDI outsells all hybrids other than the Prius-II.

Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - June 4, 2009

2009 VW Jetta TDI Sportwagen w/ a 6-speed MT - $23,870 to start and 34 mpgUS combined on the 08 EPA.

May once again saw fuel efficient hybrid and non-hybrid sales off large percentages from the same period a year ago. With little in terms of light at the end of the tunnel, hybrid sales are falling faster than the general market whereas fuel efficient non-hybrids are falling off at approximately the same rate. The 2009 VW Jetta TDI is doing well with sales not only higher than all hybrids other than the Prius-II but for May, the Jetta TDI’s and in particular, the TDI based Sportwagen had its best sales month since its launch late last year. In total, 3,796 Jetta TDI's were purchased last month.

VW’s 50-state compliant clean diesel Jetta TDI sedan and Sportwagen not only provide good fuel economy, they actually provide excellent fuel economy with the Sportwagen allowing 187% of combined EPA over two tanks from Chicago to the East Coast and back while carrying 4 adults! Additionally, the utility provided by the Sportwagen cannot be matched by any compact sedan or 5-door hatch we have driven to date.

Providing even more value, the Jetta TDI Sedan and Sportwagen include a $1300 Federal Income Tax Credit given both vehicles qualify for the Advanced Lean Burn Technology Motor Vehicle income tax credit.

"In this challenging economy, Volkswagen is pleased with our May sales results," said Mark Barnes, Chief Operating Officer, Volkswagen of America, Inc. "We're really encouraged by how well our Jetta sedan and Sportwagen did in May, and equally excited by how well our TDI clean diesel models continue to sell."

Fuel Efficient Non-Hybrids

The “Big 7” fuel efficient non-hybrids sales saw an overall decline of 35.7 percent YTD vs. 2008. This is approximately the same as the overall automobile market declines.

The back and forth battle for compact class sales supremacy between the Corolla and Civic continues. Although both appear to be trying not to lose more percentage than gain, the Corolla’s May sales saw 23,576 units sold, a decline of 53.7 percent vs. May of 2008. YTD sales were off 32.2 percent.

For May, the Civic saw 20,723 new units delivered, a decrease of 59.6 percent compared to the same period a year ago. For the year, Civic sales are off 40 percent and heading the wrong direction.

The Toyota Yaris saw 10,130 units sold in May, a 26.9 percent decline vs. the same period a year ago. For the year, sales are off 39.7 percent.

For now the third month in a row, the Honda Fit’s May sales were off 27.5 percent with a total of 5,730 units sold. For the year, sales are off 17.7 percent.

Mini’s sales have fallen in every month so far this year and the trend continues in May. Sales of 4,610 vehicles were down by 27.0 percent from to the same period a year ago. For the year, sales are off 20.8 percent.

Sales of the Chevrolet Aveo are down by so much as to be almost insignificant in our non-hybrid total sales figures. This month saw sales of the Aveo at 2,067 in May, down 72.6 percent from the year ago sales period. For the year, Aveo sales are off 62.2 percent.

The Smart Fortwo sales are really falling off now that it has been available for over a year. Just 1,169 units were sold in May, down 56.6 percent compared to May of 2008.

May 2009 Fuel Efficient Non-Hybrid Sales Summary

		Month to Date			Year to Date
Make and Model	May 2009	May 2008	DSR* % Change	May 2009	May 2008	DSR* % Change
Toyota Corolla	23,576	52,826	-53.7%	101,708	152,308	-32.2%
Honda Civic**	20,723	53,299	-59.6%	97,505	164,994	-40.0%
Toyota Yaris	10,130	14,397	-26.9%	33,355	56,208	-39.7%
Honda Fit	5,730	8,205	-27.5%	24,137	29,784	-17.7%
Mini Cooper	4,610	6,312	-27.0%	16,780	21,189	-20.8%
Chevrolet Aveo	2,067	7,842	-72.6%	9,669	25,971	-62.2%
Smart Fortwo	1,169	2,695	-56.5%	7,451	8,854	-15.8%

DSR*: Daily Selling Rate - There were 26 selling days in the May 2009 sales period vs. 27 days in May 2008. For YTD, 2009 had 127 selling days vs. 2008’s 129.

Hybrid’s

The “Big 6” fuel efficient non-hybrids sales (2010 Insight-II, FFH and MMH not included) saw an overall decline of 45.7 percent YTD vs. 2008. Not a single hybrid escaped the sales decline as all manufacturers experienced yet another free fall in total sales.

The Toyota Prius posted May sales of 10,091, a decline of 30.2 percent vs. the May 2008 sales period. This was a 2,000 unit uptick from last month but still down overall. For the year, sales are off 45.4 percent. It will be interesting to see the uptake on the new 2010 Prius-III now that it is available in limited quantities around the country now.

The Toyota Camry Hybrid sales saw 2,941 vehicles sold in May, down 49.1 percent from the same period a year ago. 09 YTD, total sales are off 59.7 percent. TCH’s have been purchased for as little as $22,750 last month which makes it a very attractive proposition for those interested in a fuel efficient mid-sized sedan.

The Honda Civic Hybrid posted total sales of 2,077, down 53.9 percent vs. May of 2008. For the year to date, sales are off 33.1percent. This once “hot” hybrid can still be picked up for under $21K in many locations but nothing like the April deals allowing new ownership for under $18,500

The Honda Insight-II reported sales of 2,780 units for the month with initial sales launch occurring just 9-weeks ago. An acceleration from the 2,096 sold last month but its high price appears to be getting in the way of some to take the keys.

The HiHy saw 1,351 vehicles sold in May, down 46.9 percent from the same period a year ago. For 2009 YTD, total sales are off 53.7 percent.

The all-new 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan Hybrids saw May, their second full month of sales, reach 2,079 units sold, up significantly from last months 1,165. Year to date total s are now 3,695.

The FEH/MMH twins' saw 1,827 vehicles sold in May, down 20.2 percent from the same period a year ago. For 2009 YTD, total sales are off 30.7 percent.

The all-new Lexus RX 400h hybrid took a huge hit with just 393 vehicles sold in May, down 81.1 percent from the same period a year ago. For 2009 YTD, total sales are off 30.5 percent.

Sales of GM’s hybrids saw a total of 1,739 hybrid vehicles including the Chevrolet Malibu, Tahoe and Silverado, GMC Yukon and Sierra, Cadillac Escalade, Saturn Aura and Vue Hybrids delivered in the month of May. YTD, GM has sold 6,895 hybrids.

May 2009 Hybrid Sales Summary

		Month to Date			Year to Date
Make and Model	May 2009	May 2008	DSR* % Change	May 2009	May 2008	DSR* % Change
Toyota Prius	10,091	15,011	-30.2%	42,753	79,675	-45.5%
Toyota Camry Hybrid	2,941	5,999	-49.1%	10,914	27,478	-59.7%
Honda Civic Hybrid	2,077	4,676	-53.9%	10,745	16,322	-33.1%
Honda Insight-II	2,780	NA	NA	5,445	NA	NA
Toyota Highlander Hybrid	1,351	2,644	-46.9	5,261	11,542	-53.7%
Lexus RX400h	393	2,155	-81.1%	5,271	7,708	-30.5%
Ford Fusion/Mercury Milan Hybrid	2,079	NA	NA	3,695	NA	NA
Ford Escape Hybrid/Mercury Mariner Hybrid	1,827	2,378	-20.2%	6,486	9,510	-30.7%

DSR*: Daily Selling Rate - There were 26 selling days in the May 2009 sales period vs. 27 days in May 2008. For YTD, 2009 had 127 selling days vs. 2008’s 129.
** Honda Civic sales include the HCH-II.

Big 6 Manufacturers Overall

For the Monthly comparison, every manufacturer once again saw severe sales declines. Chrysler sales were down 47 percent and now in bankruptcy, why bother? Honda sales were off an uncharacteristic 39.7 percent, the worst of the stronger players so far this year. Toyota too was off an atypically high 38.1 percent. Nissan sales were off 33.1 percent, GM, also now in bankruptcy, saw its sales down 30 percent and Ford sales were down 24.2 percent.

[chibougamoo]

Maybe the TDI sales numbers will encourage other makes to bring their European diesel engined versions to North America (one can live in hope).

[MaxxMPG]

Sales of hybrids and fuel efficient cars on a year-over-year basis will look catastrophic because May of '08 saw gas prices in the high $3's and people were fist fighting over whatever gas sippers they could find. The cash crash has severely affected auto sales since last Autumn, and so the unusual high and low number will show as a real disaster. The year-to-date numbers are therefore more reflective of the continuing low sales volume. And it's still not a pretty sight.

People seem to be hanging onto what they have. A friend of mine is looking for a job and he found a local auto parts distributor that is desperate for a driver - someone who will run parts to shops within a certain radius of the store. That tells me the auto repair shops are busy and so people must be nursing the clunkers as long as possible.

[ILAveo]

I agree with what Maxx MPG said (maybe 07 or 06 would make a better baseline), but also want to point out that a lot of the comparisons being made are for old product. Total hybrid sales for the two companies that had new product (Ford, Honda) increased.

I also suspect that deals available on near fuel efficient non-hybrids such as Cobalt, Caliber and Focus hurt the some of the cars on the list (e.g. who wants an Aveo when they can get a Cobalt for $500 more?)

I think that an interesting thing to watch will be whether people shift from SUV's to large and mid-size sedans/wagons (say Fusion hybrid or Jetta TDI) for their family cars.

[dr61]

I wonder what the sales numbers for the VW Sportwagen TDI would be in the US if there was actually enough supply to equal demand. Because in most other countries station wagons are big sellers, VW only allocated a small amount of Sportwagen production for the US market. I ordered one in July 2008 and still did not have production confirmed by Feb. 2009, so I made an intensive search and finally found one that was available on the day it arrived at a dealer 750 miles from me. Apparently non-ordered Sportwagen TDI's last only 1-2 days on average at a dealer before being sold.

I'm having fun with mine and learning how to drive it by reading these forums!