Highlight would be the Jetta SportWagen TDI outselling every Hybrid but the Prius.
Wayne Gerdes -
CleanMPG - Jan. 9, 2010
2010 VW Jetta SportWagen TDI - $24,615 to start and 34 mpgUS combined on the 08 EPA.
It has been ages since we last highlighted a diesel for the monthly sales figures feature and in the case of the Jetta SportWagen TDI, longer then it should have been. Although Jetta TDI and SportWagen TDI sales are deficient, Steve Keyes, Director of Press and PR passed along some surprising December figures. Namely, that the Jetta TDI and SportWagen are selling very well indeed.
Although still only a blip on the radar when compared to the likes of the Corolla or Civic, the TDI’s offer something those perennial sales leaders do not. Namely, good performance and exceptional highway Fuel Economy.
2010 VW Jetta SportWagen TDI at a glance
Engine and Transmission
Those who choose to outfit the 2010 Jetta SportWagen with the 2.0L TDI engine are rewarded with a vehicle setup perfectly for either family outing across town or a long distance marathon crossing the country.
The 2.0L TDI employs an electronically-controlled turbocharger and common rail direct fuel injection with 140 HP and an impressive 236 lbs.-ft. of torque on tap. Transferring the available torque is either the standard six-speed manual transmission or optional DSG six-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic® controls. Volkswagen’s DSG dualclutch automatic transmission not only delivers noteworthy fuel economy but keeps the revs down for a very relaxed highway driving experience.
Infotainment – New for 2010
The Jetta Sedan and SportWagen TDI can be upgraded with Volkswagen’s new navigation system that features a 6.5” high resolution touch-screen display, an integrated 30GB hard drive, WMA / MP3 audio CD playback, DVD playback, an SD memory card slot, an auxiliary input connection, an optional Media Device Interface (MDI) that works with most any USB flash drive and portable media player, and complimentary Sirius Traffic and Sirius Satellite Radio programming for three and six months respectively. The setup can be also outfitted with an optional iPod® cable for total playback support and control via the in-car system. Drivers have primary system control at their fingertips with the multifunction buttons on the steering wheel, which are augmented by visual and audible commands via the center console display, and the instrument cluster’s digital display.
The 2010 VW Jetta and Jetta SportWagen TDI’s are not only fuel efficient but also modern day wonders considering the rest of the vehicles most are driving in the US today
Fuel Efficient Non-Hybrids
The “Big 7” fuel efficient non-hybrids December 2009 sales were up 20.2 percent when compared to December 2008. Dec. 2008 sales however were somewhat of a low point, off 25.8% from Dec. of 2007. For the year, the fuel efficient non-hybrid group is down a disheartening 21.9 percent.
In December, the Corolla was purchased by 34,220 customers, an increase of 43.6 percent when compared to December of 2008. For the year, Corolla sales are off 15.4 percent.
The Civics December 2009 sales were not as lively but still positive with 22,319 vehicles sold, an increase of 19.8 percent vs. December 2008. YTD, Civic sales are off 23.5 percent.
In December, the Yaris had a sales uptick with 5,017 vehicles sold, an increase of 5.5 percent vs. December of 2008. For the year, sales are still off huge however with a 37.7 percent decline.
The Honda Fit had another poor month and for the first time in months fell behind its smaller rival, the Toyota Yaris for Sub-compact sales supremacy. For the month, 4,570 Fit’s were sold, a decrease of 15.8 percent vs. December 2008. For the year, sales are off 15.6 percent.
The Mini’s December sales were down 9.1 percent to 3,489 vehicles compared to the same period a year ago. For the year, sales are off 16.4 percent.
December sales of the Chevrolet Aveo were up strongly for the month with 3,359 vehicles sold, up 38.2 percent from Dec. of 2008. For the year, Aveo sales are off 30.4 percent.
The Smart Fortwo’s sales are still heading south with 864 vehicles sold in December, down 65.7 percent from the year ago period. For the year, sales are off 40.7 percent.
As featured above, the individual VW Jetta TDI sales for the month of December included 2,041 SportWagen TDI’s and 1,812 Sedan TDI’s finding their way to new owners.
December 2009 Fuel Efficient Non-Hybrid Sales Summary
| | | Month to Date | | | Year to Date | |
| Make and Model | Dec. 2009 | Dec. 2008 | DSR* % Change | 2009 YTD | 2008 YTD | DSR* % Change |
| Toyota Corolla | 34,220 | 22,129 | +43.6% | 296,874 | 351,007 | -15.4% |
| Honda Civic** | 22,319 | 17,302 | +19.8% | 259,722 | 339,289 | -23.5% |
| Honda Fit | 4,570 | 5,039 | -15.8% | 67,315 | 79,794 | -15.6% |
| Toyota Yaris | 5,017 | 4,417 | +5.5% | 63,743 | 102,328 | -37.7% |
| Mini Cooper | 3,489 | 3,566 | -9.1% | 45,225 | 54,077 | -16.4% |
| Chevrolet Aveo | 3,359 | 2,257 | +38.2 | 38,516 | 55,360 | -30.4% |
| Smart Fortwo | 864 | 2,341 | -65.7% | 14,595 | 24,622 | -40.7% |
DSR*: Daily Selling Rate - There were 28 selling days in Dec. of 09 vs. 26 in Dec. of 2008. YTD, 2009 had 308 selling days vs. 308 in 2008.
** Honda Civic sales include the HCH-II.
Hybrid’s
Hybrids in December saw the 2010 Prius, Highlander Hybrid and Lexus RXh being purchased in volumes above their December 2008 sales. The HS 250h, Insight-II and Fusion Hybrids found a few more buyers when compared to last month.
The “Big 6” excluding the Insight-II, Fusion and HS (they have not yet achieved a complete year of sales) hybrids December 2009 sales were up 14.0 percent vs. December of 2008. YTD, hybrid sales are down a tough 24.4 percent vs. all of 2008.
The Toyota Prius posted sales of 11,775 in December; an increase of 39.1 percent vs. December of 2008. For the year, sales are off by 12.1 percent compared to all of 2008.
The Toyota Camry Hybrid fell behind its domestic rival in the form of the Fusion and Milan Hybrids by a small amount. The TCH was purchased by 1,513 new owners in December, down 25.6 percent vs. Dec. 2008. YTD, TCH total sales are off 50.5 percent.
The Honda Insight-II sales are at best described as subpar. In December, 1,639 vehicles were sold.
Honda Civic Hybrid is having a very tough year. For December of 2009, sales of 471 vehicles revealed yet another large decline of 57.8 percent vs. December of 2008. For the year, sales are down 51.7 percent.
Ford’s Fusion and Mercury Milan Hybrid sales for December saw 1,686 new owners driving off dealership lots. YTD, 17,022 vehicles have been sold.
The Ford Escape and Mariner Hybrids achieved 1,157 sales, down 6.5 percent compared to December of 2008. For the year, sales of 16,480 are off 15.6 vs. all of 2008.
The HiHy achieved sales of 1,029 vehicles sold in December, up 7.4 percent from the same period a year ago. For all of 2009, total sales reached 11,086, off 42.8 percent.
The Lexus division’s RX 450h was purchased by 1,210 new customers, up 1.4 percent. For 2009 YTD, total sales are off 4.8 percent.
December 2009 Hybrid Sales Summary
| | | Month to Date | | | Year to Date | |
| Make and Model | Dec. 2009 | Dec. 2008 | DSR* % Change | 2009 YTD | 2008 YTD | DSR* % Change |
| Toyota Prius | 11,775 | 7,859 | +39.1% | 139,682 | 158,884 | -12.1% |
| Toyota Camry Hybrid | 1,513 | 1,888 | -25.6% | 22,887 | 46,272 | -50.5% |
| Honda Insight-II | 1,639 | NA | NA | 20,572 | NA | NA |
| Honda Civic Hybrid | 471 | 1,036 | -57.8% | 15,119 | 31,297 | -51.7% |
| Ford Fusion/Mercury Milan Hybrid | 1,686 | NA | NA | 17,022 | NA | NA |
| Ford Escape Hybrid/Mercury Mariner Hybrid | 1,157 | 1,149 | -6.5% | 16,480 | 19,522 | -15.6% |
| Toyota Highlander Hybrid | 1,029 | 890 | +7.4% | 11,086 | 19,391 | -42.8% |
| Lexus RX450h | 1,598 | 1,463 | +1.4% | 14,464 | 15,200 | -4.8% |
| Lexus HS 250h | 1,980 | NA | NA | 6,699 | NA | NA |
DSR*: Daily Selling Rate - There were 28 selling days in Dec. of 09 vs. 26 in Dec. of 2008. YTD, 2009 had 308 selling days vs. 308 in 2008.
Big 6 Manufacturers Overall
For the Monthly comparison, automobile sales appear to be finally climbing up off the bottom. Other than GM and Chrysler.
December 2009 Big 6 Sales Summary
| | | Month to Date | | | Year to Date | |
| Make | Dec. 2009 | Dec. 2008 | DSR* % Change | 2009 YTD | 2008 YTD | DSR* % Change |
| GM | 208,511 | 221,983 | -12.8% | 2,084,492 | 2,980,688 | -30.1% |
| Toyota | 187,860 | 141,949 | +22.9 | 1,770,149 | 2,217,662 | -20.2% |
| Ford | 184,655 | 139,067 | +32.8% | 1,682,323 | 1,988,376 | -15.4% |
| Chrysler | 86,523 | 89,813 | -4.0% | 931,402 | 1,453,122 | -36.0% |
| Honda | 107,143 | 86,085 | +15.6% | 1,150,784 | 1,428,765 | -19.5% |
| Nissan | 73,404 | 62,101 | +18.2% | 770,103 | 951,350 | -19.1% |
DSR*: Daily Selling Rate - There were 28 selling days in Dec. of 09 vs.
26 in Dec. of 2008. YTD, 2009 had 308 selling days vs. 308 in 2008.
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