April 2010 Hybrid and high FE non-hybrid sales – A pickup is in progress!

[xcel]

Even with the recall backdrop still lingering, Toyota’s Corolla and Prius had a stellar month

Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - May 12, 2010

2010 Toyota Prius - $22,800 to start and 50 mpg combined.

Regarding the fuel efficient hybrids and non-hybrid sales, not all vehicles experienced the sales increases that the Corolla and Prius experienced. Some of the Toyota success has to do with incentives placed on the two perennial sales leaders in their respective markets.

2010 Toyota Prius at a glance

It has been 10 years since the introduction of the first hybrid automobile into the US (that being the Insight) with Toyota’s Prius following soon afterwards.

Now in its third generation, the 2010 Prius offers a yet to be copied unique exterior offering high fuel economy, advanced amenities far beyond most vehicles in its class and now PHEV technology to take one wherever they may need to go with a minimum of personal transportation footprints.

In addition, the Prius’ legendary quality and safety additions make it Toyota’s halo car which should continue well into the immediate future.

All Prius variants arrive with standard ABS, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBFD), Brake Assist (BA), Hill Start Assist Control (HAC) and a Direct Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

In addition, the Prius incorporates advanced frontal airbags and front seat-mounted side airbags, a driver’s side knee airbag plus front and rear curtain side airbags. 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 both April of 2010 and April of 2009.

The “Big 7” fuel efficient non-hybrids April 2010 sales of 68,805 vehicles was up 7.2% percent compared to April 2009’s 64,179 vehicles sold. When compared to April of 2008’s 97,188 vehicles sold, the trend for the fuel efficient non-hybrids is up from last year but still down compared to the glory days of early 2008 when fuel was rising almost as fast as gasoline prices were rising.

The Toyota Corolla posted sales of 27,932 vehicles in April; an increase of 50.7 percent vs. April of 2009’s 18,534 vehicles sold. For comparisons sake, there was 32,435 Corolla’s sold in April of 2008.

The Honda Civic posted sales of 25,042 vehicles in April; a decrease of 4.6 percent vs. April of 2009’s 26,252. 2010 still has quite a ways to go before catching up to the 34,163 Civics sold in April of 2008.

The Toyota Yaris posted sales of 3,862 vehicles in April; a massive decline of 52.4 percent vs. April of 2009’s 8,118 vehicles sold. For comparison, 11,434 Yaris’ were sold in April of 2008. This month’s sales are far less than half 2008’s sales volume.

The Honda Fit posted sales of 4,669 vehicles in April; a 14.2 percent increase vs. April of 2009’s 4,115 vehicles sold. This April’s sales were down from the 5,938 Fit’s sold in April of 2008.

The Mini posted sales of 3,843 vehicles in April; a 5.1 percent increase vs. April of 2009 when 3,657 vehicles were sold. Both are down when compared to April 2008 when 4,713 vehicles were sold.

The Chevrolet Aveo posted sales of 2,777 vehicles in April; up 28.7 percent compared to April 2009 when 2,158 vehicles were sold. This the third month in a row of stronger Aveo sales although when compared to April of 2008’s 5,822 vehicles sold, there is little reason to celebrate.

The Smart Fortwo posted sales of just 680 vehicles in April; down 49.4 percent compared to April 2009 when 1,345 vehicles were purchased. This decline occurred even with a $3,000 rebate takig the MSRP down by almost 30% on the least expensive models. In April of 2008, 2,683 Smart’s were sold giving an idea as to how far the brand has fallen off the average American consumers radar screen.

Regarding VW’s TDI sales, only the Jetta Sportwagen TDI sales were reported. Tor the month of April, 1,945 units were sold.

April 2010 Fuel Efficient Non-Hybrid Sales Summary

		Month to Date			Year to Date
Make and Model	April 2010	April 2009	DSR* % Change	April 2010	April 2009	DSR* % Change
Toyota Corolla	27,932	18,534	+50.7%	91,672	78,132	+18.5%
Honda Civic**	25,042	26,252	-4.6%	78,669	76,782	+3.5%
Toyota Yaris	3,862	8,118	-52.4%	16,375	23,225	-28.8%
Honda Fit	4,669	4,115	+14.2%	14,991	18,407	-17.7%
Mini Cooper	3,843	3,657	+5.1%	12,571	12,170	+4.3%
Chevrolet Aveo	2,777	2,158	+28.7%	10,861	7,602	+44.3%
Smart Fortwo	680	1,345	-49.4%	2,077	6,282	-66.6%

DSR*: Daily Selling Rate - There were 26 selling days in both April of 2009 and 2010. YTD, 2010 and 2009 had 100 and 101 selling days respectively.
** Honda Civic sales include the HCH-II.

Hybrid’s

The 2010 Prius, Lexus RXh and Ford Fusion Hybrid were the only three hybrids purchased in volumes above their respective April 2009 sales levels.

The “Big 7” excluding the Lexus HS (it has not yet achieved a complete year of sales) April 2010 sales of 21,361 vehicles was up 7.2 percent vs. April of 2009’s 19,927 vehicles sold. Compared to 2008’s 38,868 which excludes the HS, the “Big 7” hybrids are having a poor start by comparison.

The Toyota Prius posted sales of 12,555 vehicles in April; an increase of 49.7 percent vs. April of 2009’s 8,385 vehicles sold. Compared to April 2008’s 21,757 vehicles sold however, the third generation Prius with $3.00 per gallon gasoline is no match to the second generation with gasoline approaching $4.00 per gallon.

The Toyota Camry Hybrid posted sales of 1,655 vehicles in April; down 24.7 percent compared to April 2009 when 2,198 TCH’s were sold. In April of 2008, 6,678 TCH’s were sold showing how hard TCH sales have fallen over the years.

Honda Insight-II sales is showing its lukewarm consumer uptake. The HI-II posted sales of 1,880 vehicles in April; down 10.2 percent from April 2009 when 2,096 vehicles were sold.

Honda’s hybrid flagship, the Honda Civic Hybrid posted sales of 621 vehicles in April; down 81.5 percent compared to the 3,361 vehicles sold in April of 2009. Another stark comparison by comparison to the 4,324 vehicles sold in April of 2008.

Ford’s Fusion and Mercury Milan Hybrid posted sales of 1,607 vehicles in April; up 37.9 percent from the 1,134 vehicles sold in April of 2009. The Fusion/Milan Hybrid were launched in late April of 2009so there was no 2008 comparison.

The Ford Escape and Mariner Hybrids posted sales of 1,119 vehicles in April; down 1.3 percent from April 2009 sales of 1,134 vehicles. This compared to the 1,907 vehicles sold in April of 2008.

The HiHy achieved sales of 692 vehicles in April; down 25.8 percent compared to April 2009 when 933 vehicles were sold. Compared to April of 2008 when 2,578 vehicles were purchased, the HiHy is getting old in the tooth.

The Lexus divisions new HS 250h posted sales of 1,076 vehicles in April. Sales appear to be drifting lower month after month for the Luxury based fuel saver.

The RX 450h posted sales of 1,232 vehicles in April; up 88.1 percent compared to April 2009 when just 655 vehicles were sold. Compared to 2008’s sales of 1,624 vehicles, the 30 mpg rated RXh appears to be doing ok.

April 2010 Hybrid Sales Summary

		Month to Date			Year to Date
Make and Model	April 2010	April 2009	DSR* % Change	April 2010	April 2009	DSR* % Change
Toyota Prius	12,555	8,385	+49.7%	40,793	32,662	+26.1%
Toyota Camry Hybrid	1,655	2,198	-24.7%	5,082	7,973	-35.6%
Honda Insight-II	1,880	2,096	-10.3	6,853	2,655	+159.7%
Honda Civic Hybrid	621	3,361	-81.5%	1,799	8,668	-79.0%
Ford Fusion/Mercury Milan Hybrid	1,607	1,165	+37.9	5,860	1,616	+266.3%
Ford Escape Hybrid/Mercury Mariner Hybrid	1,119	1,134	-1.3%	3,882	4,659	-15.86%
Toyota Highlander Hybrid	692	933	-25.8%	2,151	3,910	-44.4%
Lexus RX450h	1,232	655	+88.1%	4,389	4,878	-9.1%
Lexus HS 250h	1,076	NA	NA	4,529	NA	NA

DSR*: Daily Selling Rate - There were 26 selling days in both April of 2009 and 2010. YTD, 2010 and 2009 had 100 and 101 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.

• Nissan’s April sales up35 %.
  
• Chrysler April sales up 25%.
  
• Ford’s April sales up 25%.
  
• Toyota’s April sales up 24%.
  
• Honda April sales up 12.5%.
  
• GM April sales up 6.4%.

[ALS]

I think the average American is seeing the writing on the wall and they are not going to get left holding the short stick again. I said it before we got a wake up call in 2005 and 2008 with rising fuel prices that topped out over $4.00. Now we dealing with the threat of continued high unemployment for a number of years, plus inflation and the real possibility of much higher taxes, a lot of people are preparing for the worse if it comes.

[noflash]

Civic Hybrid, OUCH!! What's the problem? Are the dealers not discounting appropriately?

nf

[PaleMelanesian]

Not stocking them, not advertising, nothing. My local dealer has TWO in stock, when a year ago they usually had five.

[ALS]

My Toyota Dealer has ten Prius on the lot as of this week.

O-boy have prices jumped over the last 10 months.

MSRP on my III was $23,460 they are selling the exact same car for $27,000.
They are selling II's for $1500 - $2500 over MSRP that my III went for 10 months ago.

If someone thought that the Government witch hunt would hurt Toyota for the long term,
they were very much out of touch with reality.

[PaleMelanesian]

Oh, there are plenty of Prii in stock. I was talking about the Honda dealer. That's part of the difference in sales - it seems Honda doesn't want to sell hybrids, while Toyota does.

[EssEeeEmm]

Last September, my wife and I wend specifically looking for a 2010 HCHII. Our Honda dealer said they just could not get them. Then they tried to sell us an Insight-II. It all worked out for us, she later got a very good deal on a low mileage 2006 HCHII in November.

[Earthling]

Originally Posted by ALS

MSRP on my III was $23,460 they are selling the exact same car for $27,000.
They are selling II's for $1500 - $2500 over MSRP that my III went for 10 months ago.

I got the floor mat recall work done on my '07 Prius yesterday.

The dealer had an '10 Prius on sale for less than the sticker price.

I noticed the '10 Prius has a better driver's seat, with tilt control for the seat portion. I asked the parts man and the service manager if a '10 seat could be swapped into an '07 Prius and neither knew if that was possible...

My Prius now has what looks like a new gas pedal. I'm not sure how much of the mechanism was replaced...There was nothing wrong with the old mechanism, but if I ever swap the car, I can say all recall work has been done...

Harry

[Butterfly Mage]

In my recent car-buying experience, the sales agent didn't even mention that the Civic Hybrid even existed. I did, however, get an Insight-II for $17,500. It was a no-brainer.

[ellenbetty]

In these monthy vehicle sales number, are they world wide sales, or just US sales?

Numbers shows you how fickle public is. The drop in Toyota Yaris sales, almost matches the increase in Honda Fit sales. Since MPG is the most important issue with me, I do not know why any one would buy a Honda Fit, which gets 2 mpg less than the Toyota Yaris. (Using 2007 EPA numbers)