Highlights include the Aveo and surprisingly, the Prius sees gains as well.
Wayne Gerdes -
CleanMPG - Feb. 7, 2010
2010 Chevrolet Aveo - $11,965 to start and 30 mpgUS combined on the 08 EPA.
With the Aveo’s recent uptick off the sales bottom, a highlight is in order. Although old in the tooth and never really competitive in its segment even when first released, it will not be until 2011 before we see the all-new Aveo.
2010 Chevrolet Aveo at a glance
For 2010, the fuel-efficient Chevrolet Aveo receives powertrain revisions that enhance its fuel economy. Automatic-equipped 2009 and 2010 Aveo models are rated at 25 city/34 highway. Gearing changes to the 2010 manual-transmission models however allowed a 1-mpg highway fuel economy increase, now rated at 27 city/35 highway on the 08 EPA.
All 2010 Aveo’s benefit from a slight increase in horsepower; and a new exterior color are available, while features such as OnStar, XM Satellite Radio, the GM Oil Life Monitoring system and standard 15-inch wheels return.
The 2010 Chevrolet Aveo’s are reasonably fuel efficient but are in a desperate need of an upgrade, due in early 2011.
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 for the tie being.
The “Big 7” fuel efficient non-hybrids January 2010 sales were down 3.7% percent compared to January 2009. January 2009 sales however were off 21.1% from January of 2008. The trend unfortunately is still heading south.
The Toyota Corolla posted sales of 17,121 vehicles in January; a decrease of 3.6 percent vs. January of 2009’s 19,238 vehicles sold. For comparisons sake, there was 20,736 Corolla’s sold in January of 2008.
The Honda Civic posted sales of 14,693 vehicles in January; an increase of 12.1 percent vs. January of 2009. Both figures are a far cry from the 20,993 Civics sold in January of 2008.
The Toyota Yaris posted sales of 3,676 vehicles in January; a decline of 10.3 percent vs. January of 2009’s 4,440 vehicles sold. For comparison, 7,666 Yaris were sold in January of 2008. Clearly a massive decline from 2 years ago.
The Honda Fit began the year with a very poor showing. The Fit posted sales of 2,697 vehicles in January; a 38.4 percent decline vs. January of 2009’s 4,745 vehicles sold. January’s sales were down significantly vs. the 4,480 Fit’s sold in January of 2008.
The Mini posted sales of 2,247 vehicles in January; a 16.9 percent increase vs. January of 2009 when 2,082 vehicles were sold. Both are down when compared to January 2008 when 2,460 vehicles were sold.
The Chevrolet Aveo posted sales of 2,043 vehicles in January; up a strong 38.8 percent compared to January 2009 when just 1,595 vehicles were sold. Compared to the 5,314 vehicles sold in January 2008 however, shows last month’s sales uptick is just a blip when considering the bigger picture.
Since the Smart Fortwo’s initial US launch in January of 2008, January’s sales reached an all-time monthly low. The Smart posted sales of 278 vehicles in January; down 83.0 percent compared to January 2009 when 1,776 vehicles were purchased. In January of 2008, 631 Smart’s were sold during its late January launch.
VW Jetta and Jetta Sportwagen TDI sales for the month of January reached 2,447 vehicles.
January 2010 Fuel Efficient Non-Hybrid Sales Summary
| | | Month to Date | | | Year to Date | |
| Make and Model | Jan. 2010 | Jan. 2009 | DSR* % Change | Jan. 2010 | Jan. 2009 | DSR* % Change |
| Toyota Corolla | 17,121 | 19,238 | -3.6% | 17,121 | 19,238 | -3.6% |
| Honda Civic** | 14,693 | 14,198 | +12.1% | 14,693 | 14,198 | +12.1% |
| Toyota Yaris | 3,676 | 4,440 | -10.3% | 3,676 | 4,440 | -10.3% |
| Honda Fit | 2,697 | 4,745 | -38.4% | 2,697 | 4,745 | -38.4% |
| Mini Cooper | 2,247 | 2,082 | +16.9% | 2,247 | 2,082 | +16.9% |
| Chevrolet Aveo | 2,043 | 1,595 | +38.8% | 2,043 | 1,595 | +38.8% |
| Smart Fortwo | 278 | 1,776 | -83.0% | 278 | 1,776 | -83.0% |
DSR*: Daily Selling Rate - There were 24 selling days in Jan. of 2010 vs. 26 in Jan. of 2009. YTD, 2010 and 2009 had the same 26 and 24 selling days respectively.
** Honda Civic sales include the HCH-II.
Hybrid’s
The 2010 Prius was the only hybrid being purchased in volumes above its January 2009 sales volumes. Additionally, the Lexus HS 250h, Honda Insight-II and Ford Fusion Hybrids found fewer buyers in January then in Dec. of 2009.
The “Big 6” excluding the Insight-II, Fusion and HS hybrids (they have not yet achieved a complete year of sales) January 2010 sales of 11,861 vehicles was down 6.6 percent vs. January of 2009’s 13,758 vehicles purchased. Compared to 2008’s 21,702 “Big 6” hybrids vehicles sold, this year is looking very anemic to put it lightly.
The Toyota Prius posted sales of 8,484 vehicles in January; an increase of 13.2 percent vs. January of 2009’s 8,121 vehicle sold. Compared to January 2008’s 11,379 vehicles sold however, even the mighty Prius has an uphill battle to come close to its previous sales glory.
The Toyota Camry Hybrid posted sales of just 867 vehicles in January; down 17.7 percent compared to January 2009 when 1,141 TCH’s were sold. Considering January of 2008 when 3,750 TCH’s were sold, its future appears faint.
The Honda Insight-II sales are at best described as subpar. The HI-II posted sales of just 1,307 vehicles in January; down considerably from December 2009’s 1,639 vehicles sold. January saw the least number of HI-II’s sold since its launch in March of 2009 when 569 vehicles were sold in less than a week.
As we have been reporting from early 2009, Honda has apparently given up on its hybrid flagship, the Honda Civic Hybrid. The HCH-II posted sales of only 253 vehicles in January; down 74.5 percent compared to the 1,076 vehicles sold in January of 2009. Adding insult to injury, 1,745 vehicles were sold in January of 2008.
Ford’s Fusion and Mercury Milan Hybrid posted sales of 1,152 vehicles in January. This is down considerably from the 1,686 vehicles sold in December. of 2009.
The Ford Escape and Mariner Hybrids posted sales of just 715 vehicle in January; down 12.0 percent from January 2009 when 880 vehicles were sold. Compared to the 1,474 vehicles sold in January of 2008, yet another hybrid vehicle looks to be headed in the wrong direction where sales are concerned.
The HiHy achieved posted sales of 526 vehicles in January; down 42.1 percent compared to January 2009 when 984 vehicles were sold. Compared to 2008’s 2,143 vehicles purchased… You get the picture.
The Lexus divisions new HS 250h posted sales of 1,247 vehicles in January; down 733 vehicles from December 2009’s 1,980 vehicles delivered.
The RX 450h posted sales of 1,016 vehicles in January; down 29.3 percent compared to January 2009 when 1,556 vehicles were sold. Compared to 2008’s sales of 1,211 vehicles, it’s a very mixed picture.
January 2010 Hybrid Sales Summary
| | | Month to Date | | | Year to Date | |
| Make and Model | Jan. 2010 | Jan. 2009 | DSR* % Change | Jan. 2010 | Jan. 2009 | DSR* % Change |
| Toyota Prius | 8,484 | 8,121 | +13.2% | 8,484 | 8,121 | +13.2% |
| Toyota Camry Hybrid | 867 | 1,141 | -17.7% | 867 | 1,141 | -17.7% |
| Honda Insight-II | 1,307 | NA | NA | 1,307 | NA | NA |
| Honda Civic Hybrid | 253 | 1,076 | -74.5% | 253 | 1,076 | -74.5% |
| Ford Fusion/Mercury Milan Hybrid | 1,152 | NA | NA | 1,152 | NA | NA |
| Ford Escape Hybrid/Mercury Mariner Hybrid | 715 | 880 | -12.0% | 715 | 880 | -12.0% |
| Toyota Highlander Hybrid | 526 | 984 | -42.1% | 526 | 984 | -42.1% |
| Lexus RX450h | 1,016 | 1,556 | -29.3% | 1,016 | 1,556 | -29.3% |
| Lexus HS 250h | 1,247 | NA | NA | 1,247 | NA | NA |
DSR*: Daily Selling Rate - There were 24 selling days in Jan. of 2010 vs. 26 in Jan. of 2009. YTD, 2010 and 2009 had the same 26 and 24 selling days respectively.
Big 6 Manufacturers Overall
For the Monthly comparison, sales are climbing other than Chrysler. Toyota also fell due to the accelerator pedal mechanism recall causing sales on most of its lineup to be halted for the final week of January.
Linear Mode
