Toyota’s Prius and Corolla sales rebound strongly.
Wayne Gerdes -
CleanMPG - April. 6, 2010
2010 Toyota Corolla - $15,450 to start and up to 30 mpg combined.
Regarding the fuel efficient hybrids and non-hybrids, the overall pickup in sales did not float all boats as some vehicles languished badly in March. With last month’s Toyota “Sudden Acceleration” and recall hysteria subsiding, it was a prime time to show customers having their slightly used Toyota’s repaired a show room filled with new Toyota’s to take its place. With a 0% financing deal attached to the purchase, apparently it worked out pretty good. At least for the Prius and Corolla anyway…
2010 Toyota Corolla at a glance
Forty years after Toyota introduced the first Corolla to American drivers, the all-new, 10th-generation Corolla was introduced for the 2009 model year. The 2010 Toyota Corolla lineup includes a number of trims, the Base, LE and XLE and S are equipped with a 1.8L while the XRS comes equipped with a 2.4L as standard equipment.
Long synonymous with Toyota quality, style and value, the Corolla is also one of the most trusted and safest compact cars in America. All models are now equipped with standard ABS, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC) and Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBFD). In addition, advanced frontal airbags and front seat-mounted side airbags, plus front and rear curtain side airbags are standard. Seatbelt pretensioners cinch the seat belt at the time of a frontal collision, and the dual-stage force limiter helps limit the seat belt force applied to the chest of the passenger. Front seats integrate active headrests. If the vehicle is struck from the rear with sufficient force, a cable-actuated mechanism in the active headrest moves the headrest upward and forward to help limit the movement of the occupant's head.
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 where applicable. All sales figures are based on a Sales Day basis unless otherwise noted. There were 26 sales days in March of 2010 vs. 25 in March of 2009.
The “Big 7” fuel efficient non-hybrids March2010 sales of 69,721 vehicles was down 8.6% percent compared to March 2009’s 61,726 vehicles sold. When compared to March of 2008’s 87,353 vehicles sold, the trend for the fuel efficient non-hybrids is up from last year but still down strongly compared to the glory days of early 2008.
The Toyota Corolla posted sales of 29,623 vehicles in March; an increase of 28.0 percent vs. March of 2009’s 22,257 vehicles sold. For comparisons sake, there was 25,109 Corolla’s sold in March of 2008.
The Honda Civic posted sales of 22,463 vehicles in March; an increase of 4.6 percent vs. March of 2009’s 20,645. 2010 still has quite a ways to go before catching up to the 32,740 Civics sold in March of 2008.
The Toyota Yaris posted sales of 4,699 vehicles in March; a decline of 23.3 percent vs. March of 2009’s 5,888 vehicles sold. For comparison, 12,953 Yaris’ were sold in March of 2008. This equates to less than half 2008’s sales volume.
The Honda Fit posted sales of 4,670 vehicles in March; a 15.3 percent decline vs. March of 2009’s 5,300 vehicles sold. This March’s sales were down significantly vs. the 6,835 Fit’s sold in March of 2008.
The Mini posted sales of 3,610 vehicles in March; a 3.7 percent decrease vs. March of 2009 when 3,605 vehicles were sold. Both are down when compared to March 2008 when 4,289 vehicles were sold.
The Chevrolet Aveo posted sales of 3,979 vehicles in March; up a strong 67.4 percent compared to March 2009 when 2,285 vehicles were sold. Not only was this the second month in a row of stronger Aveo sales, March of 2010 proved to be stronger than the 3,693 vehicles sold in March 2008 however!
The Smart Fortwo posted sales of 677 vehicles in March; down 62.7 percent compared to March 2009 when 1,746 vehicles were purchased. In March of 2008, 1,734 Smart’s were sold. There is now $3,000 on the hood of every 2009 Smart Fortwo which should help move more than a few off dealerships lots over the next three weeks.
VW Jetta and Jetta Sportwagen TDI sales for the month of March were not reported yet again unfortunately
March 2010 Fuel Efficient Non-Hybrid Sales Summary
| | | Month to Date | | | Year to Date | |
| Make and Model | Mar. 2010 | Mar. 2009 | DSR* % Change | Mar. 2010 | Mar. 2009 | DSR* % Change |
| Toyota Corolla | 29,623 | 22,257 | +28.0% | 63,740 | 59,598 | +8.4% |
| Honda Civic** | 22,463 | 20,645 | +4.6% | 53,627 | 50,530 | +7.6% |
| Toyota Yaris | 4,699 | 5,888 | -23.3% | 12,513 | 15,107 | -16.1% |
| Honda Fit | 4,670 | 5,300 | -15.3% | 10,292 | 14,292 | -27.0% |
| Mini Cooper | 3,610 | 3,605 | -3.7% | 8,728 | 8,513 | +3.9% |
| Chevrolet Aveo | 3,979 | 2,285 | +67.4% | 8,084 | 5,444 | +50.5% |
| Smart Fortwo | 677 | 1,746 | -62.7% | 1,397 | 4,937 | -71.3% |
DSR*: Daily Selling Rate - There were 26 selling days in Mar. of 2010 vs. Mar. of 2009’s 25. YTD, 2010 and 2009 had 74 and 75 selling days respectively.
** Honda Civic sales include the HCH-II.
Hybrid’s
The 2010 Prius and RXh were the only two hybrids being purchased in volumes above its March2009 sales levels. The HI-II and FFH showed huge increases but this against limited first month sales after the two vehicles releases.
The “Big 6” excluding the Lexus HS (it has not yet achieved a complete year of sales) March 2010 sales of 20,461 vehicles was up 4.0 percent vs. March of 2009’s 18,920 vehicles sold. Compared to 2008’s 37,151 which did not include the HI-II, FFH or HS, the “Big 6” hybrids are having just a so so start and are way off their respective 2008 sales pace.
The Toyota Prius posted sales of 11,786 vehicles in March; an increase of 27.0 percent vs. March of 2009’s 8,924 vehicle sold. Compared to March 2008’s 20,635 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 1,549 vehicles in March; down 41.7 percent compared to March 2009 when 2,554 TCH’s were sold. Considering March of 2008 when 6,930 TCH’s were sold, the TCH is in need of a makeover.
The Honda Insight-II sales are holding their own. The HI-II posted sales of 1,652 vehicles in March; up 179.2 percent vs. March of 2009’s 569 vehicles sold. The Insight-II was only available in the last week of March 2009 making the comparison percentage meaningless.
Honda’s hybrid flagship, the Honda Civic Hybrid posted sales of 579 vehicles in March; down 80.6 percent compared to the 2,869 vehicles sold in March of 2009. Another stark comparison is that 3,769 vehicles sold in March of 2008.
Ford’s Fusion and Mercury Milan Hybrid posted sales of 1,784 vehicles in March; up 280.4 percent from the 451 vehicles sold in March of 2009. Just like the HI-II, the Fusion/Milan Hybrid were launched in late March of 2009 leaving the comparison percentage not really worth anything.
The Ford Escape and Mariner Hybrids posted sales of 1,266 vehicles in March; down 9.9 percent from March 2009 sales of 1,351 vehicles. Compared to the 2,239 vehicles sold in March of 2008, this hybrid’s sales are heading south.
The HiHy achieved sales of 594 vehicles in March; down 44.9 percent compared to March 2009 when 1,037 vehicles were sold. Compared to 2008’s 2,239 vehicles purchased… HiHy sales leave a lot to be desired.
The Lexus divisions new HS 250h posted sales of 1,494 vehicles in March. Not a stellar showing for a recently released Luxury fuel saver.
The RX 450h posted sales of 1,251 vehicles in March; up 3.3 percent compared to March 2009 when 1,165 vehicles were sold. Compared to 2008’s sales of 1,570 vehicles, RXh sales are just treading water.
March2010 Hybrid Sales Summary
| | | Month to Date | | | Year to Date | |
| Make and Model | Mar. 2010 | Mar. 2009 | DSR* % Change | Mar. 2010 | Mar. 2009 | DSR* % Change |
| Toyota Prius | 11,768 | 8,924 | +27.0% | 28,238 | 24,277 | +17.9% |
| Toyota Camry Hybrid | 1,549 | 2,554 | -41.7% | 3,427 | 5,775 | -39.9% |
| Honda Insight-II | 1,652 | 569 | +179.2 | 4,973 | 569 | +785.8 |
| Honda Civic Hybrid | 579 | 2,869 | -80.6% | 1,178 | 5,307 | -77.5% |
| Ford Fusion/Mercury Milan Hybrid | 1,784 | 451 | +280.4 | 3,050 | 451 | +585.4 |
| Ford Escape Hybrid/Mercury Mariner Hybrid | 1,266 | 1,351 | -9.9% | 2,763 | 3,525 | -20.6% |
| Toyota Highlander Hybrid | 594 | 1,037 | -44.9% | 1,459 | 2,977 | -50.3% |
| Lexus RX450h | 1,251 | 1,165 | +3.3% | 3,157 | 4,223 | -24.2% |
| Lexus HS 250h | 1,494 | NA | NA | 3,453 | NA | NA |
DSR*: Daily Selling Rate - There were 26 selling days in Mar. of 2010 vs. Mar. of 2009’s 25. YTD, 2010 and 2009 had 74 and 75 selling days respectively.
Big 6 Manufacturers Overall
For the Monthly comparison, sales were up big across the board for all other than Chrysler. Toyota had a big comeback leaving the recall problem behind it.
Linear Mode
