August 2011 Electric, Hybrid and high FE non-hybrid sales – Meh

[ItsNotAboutTheMoney]

Colin Wright - CleanMPG - October 1st, 2011

2012 Honda Civic HF, from $19,455, possibly the most efficient conventional production car sold in the USA although at some sacrifice of soundproofing. Supplies of all Civic models are constrained at the moment and reviews have been quite negative.

AUGUST (better late than never) 2011 sales saw a lull in compared to July, although still much higher than last year.

Supplies from Japanese manufacturers are now beyond their nadir, but the signs are patchy in the sales figures. The Japanese manufacturer sales are down significantly compared to last year, but there were some rises compared to July. Toyota again sold over 30,000 Camry to top mid-size sales by a wide margin and sales of the Prius rose again. How much is supply is hard to know because most of Toyota's dated line-up was struggling for sales before supply problems hit. The most positive sign for supply was that Prius sales rose compared to July. Honda saw sales drop further, although CR-V sales were up. Mazda saw an overall sales rise.

Meanwhile, the Detroit Two and Detroit Uno are still making hay with some key successes. The Chevrolet Cruze is still the top selling compact, the 200 is selling far better than the Sebring ever did, Ford's Fiesta is still topping 5,000 in a low-selling segment, Focus sales are restricted by reliance on Japanese suppliers and Detroit's crossovers and small SUVs are selling well.

The Korean Hyundai-Kia twins, meanwhile, are still limited by production capacity. However, Kia have completed rail work at their Georgia plant and have now added a 3rd shift to churn out cars around the clock. Some Hyundai cars have been manufactured there to meet demand.

Meanwhile, LEAF and Volt sales were both up. The LEAF sold 1,362 (an extra shipment this month?) but the Volt was only up by a small amount, to 302, and only because production had been stopped. If only GM could make more than 300 each month.

2011 Kia Optima Hybrid - Starts at $26,500 and $31,500 with the advanced package

It's been on sale for a few months now, but it's worthy of some attention. Rated 35/40 on the EPA, a couple of middle-aged* guys proved that driven the right way, the car can get 65 mpg traveling around the USA through some difficult conditions while providing the comfort that a mid-size car is expected to offer.

Reviewers have criticized the transmission as clunky, some owners are reporting difficulties trying to get near the EPA ratings but the new mileage record achieved by CleanMPG's Wayne Gerdes and Chris Bernius shows that drivers who learn their car will be rewarded with excellent fuel economy and driving so comfortable the miles will pass quickly.

The base Kia Optima Hybrid has ... actually it's probably better to describe the key features of the Advanced Package so you can work out what's standard: sunroof, navigation system, upgraded stereo, alloy wheels, auto-leveling HID headlights, compact spare tire, 4-way power front passenger seat, driver's seat memory, heated/cooled front seats, heated rear seats, auto-dimming rear-view mirror with HomeLink and compass, automatic light control.

* If I'm wrong, it's the lighting's fault.

Fuel Efficient Non-Hybrids

The Chevrolet Cruze posted sales of 21,807 in August 2011; the Chevrolet Cruze was not sold until September 2010.

The Toyota Corolla posted sales of 16,420 in August 2011; down 22.1% compared to 20,280 in August 2010.

The Hyundai Elantra posted sales of 15,054 in August 2011; down 4.7% compared to 15,181 in August 2010.

The Ford Focus posted sales of 14,093 in August 2011; down 12.4% compared to 15,466 in August 2010.

The Honda Civic posted sales of 12,083 in August 2011; down 49.0% compared to 22,803 in August 2010.

The Nissan Versa posted sales of 8,566 in August 2011; up 10.5% compared to 7,453 in August 2010.

The Ford Fiesta posted sales of 5,833 in August 2011; up 69.2% compared to 3,315 in August 2010.

The Hyundai Accent posted sales of 5,289 in August 2011; up 32.3% compared to 3,844 in August 2010.

The Honda Fit posted sales of 3,959 in August 2011; down 40.2% compared to 6,363 in August 2010.

The Fiat 500 posted sales of 3,106 in August 2011; the Fiat 500 was not sold until September 2010.

The Chevrolet Aveo posted sales of 2,596 in August 2011; down 37.9% compared to 4,019 in August 2010.

The Mini Cooper posted sales of 2,467 in August 2011; down 43.7% compared to 4,215 in August 2010.

The Mazda Mazda2 posted sales of 1,387 in August 2011; up 184.4% compared to 469 in August 2010.

The Toyota Yaris posted sales of 1,112 in August 2011; down 63.1% compared to 2,900 in August 2010.

The Kia Rio posted sales of 658 in August 2011; down 69.7% compared to 2,086 in August 2010.

August 2011 Fuel Efficient Non-Hybrid Sales Summary

		Month			Year to Date
Make and Model	August 2011	August 2010	DSR* % Change	August 2011	August 2010	DSR* % Change
Chevrolet Cruze	21,807	n/a	n/a	169,427	n/a	n/a
Toyota Corolla	16,420	20,280	-22.1%	170,744	188,126	-9.7%
Hyundai Elantra	15,054	15,181	-4.7%	133,536	90,960	+46.1%
Ford Focus	14,093	15,466	-12.4%	127,006	120,666	+4.7%
Honda Civic	12,083	22,803	-49.0%	153,660	179,635	-14.9%
Nissan Versa	8,566	7,453	+10.5%	59,811	69,715	-14.6%
Ford Fiesta	5,833	3,315	+69.2%	53,258	7,692	+589.0%
Hyundai Accent	5,289	3,844	+32.3%	36,245	34,882	+3.4%
Honda Fit	3,959	6,363	-40.2%	43,234	36,144	+19.0%
Fiat 500	3,106	n/a	n/a	10,588	n/a	n/a
Chevrolet Aveo	2,596	4,019	-37.9%	27,211	28,734	-5.8%
Mini Cooper	2,467	4,215	-43.7%	27,565	29,494	-7.0%
Mazda Mazda2	1,387	469	+184.4%	9,899	507	+1842.9%
Toyota Yaris	1,112	2,900	-63.1%	14,192	28,958	-51.2%
Kia Rio	658	2,086	-69.7%	13,602	19,253	-29.7%

DSR* There were 26 selling days in August 2011 compared to 25 in August 2010. There were 204 selling days in the year to August 2011 compared to 203 in 2010.

Hybrids, Plug-in Hybrids and Electric Vehicles

The Toyota Prius posted sales of 9,491 in August 2011; down 22.7% compared to 11,799 in August 2010.

The Lexus CT 200h posted sales of 2,087 in August 2011; the Lexus CT 200h was not sold until September 2010.

The Hyundai Sonata posted sales of 1,439 in August 2011; the Hyundai Sonata was not sold until February 2011. EDIT: Just added this one. Not bad for a hybrid that's been taking a media battering. I wonder how the Kia Optima Hybrid will do.

The Nissan LEAF posted sales of 1,362 in August 2011; the Nissan LEAF was not sold until September 2010.

The Honda Insight posted sales of 961 in August 2011; down 54.5% compared to 2,030 in August 2010.

The Honda CR-Z posted sales of 745 in August 2011; sales for August 2010 are not available.

The Ford Fusion/Lincoln MKZ posted sales of 707 in August 2011; down 78.1% compared to 3,104 in August 2010.

The Ford Escape posted sales of 563 in August 2011; down 31.5% compared to 790 in August 2010.

The Toyota Camry posted sales of 318 in August 2011; down 73.8% compared to 1,165 in August 2010.

The Chevrolet Volt posted sales of 302 in August 2011; the Chevrolet Volt was not sold until December 2010.

The Lexus HS 250h posted sales of 284 in August 2011; down 54.0% compared to 594 in August 2010.

The Toyota Highlander posted sales of 226 in August 2011; down 55.3% compared to 486 in August 2010.

The Honda Civic posted sales of 106 in August 2011; down 86.6% compared to 761 in August 2010.

August 2011 Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Sales Summary

		Month			Year to Date
Make and Model	August 2011	August 2010	DSR* % Change	August 2011	August 2010	DSR* % Change
Toyota Prius	9,491	11,799	-22.7%	83,936	91,940	-9.2%
Lexus CT 200h	2,087	n/a	n/a	7,408	n/a	n/a
Hyundai Sonata	1,439	n/a	n/a	6,852	n/a	n/a
Nissan LEAF	1,362	n/a	n/a	6,311	n/a	n/a
Honda Insight	961	2,030	-54.5%	13,106	14,145	-7.8%
Honda CR-Z	745	n/a	n/a	9,635	n/a	n/a
Ford Fusion/Lincoln MKZ	707	3,104	-78.1%	11,894	14,863	-20.4%
Ford Escape	563	790	-31.5%	6,839	8,635	-21.2%
Toyota Camry	318	1,165	-73.8%	6,152	10,075	-39.2%
Chevrolet Volt	302	n/a	n/a	3,172	n/a	n/a
Lexus HS 250h	284	594	-54.0%	1,947	7,251	-73.3%
Toyota Highlander	226	486	-55.3%	3,207	4,466	-28.5%
Honda Civic	106	761	-86.6%	2,850	4,489	-36.8%

DSR* There were 26 selling days in August 2011 compared to 25 in August 2010. There were 204 selling days in the year to August 2011 compared to 203 in 2010.

Automobile Manufacturer's US Sales Rank - August 2011 vs. August 2010 Comparison and Total Sales

1. GM August Sales up 13.4% with 218,479 vehicles sold.
   
2. Ford August Sales up 7.0% with 175,220 vehicles sold.
   
3. Chrysler August Sales up 25.6% with 130,119 vehicles sold.
   
4. Toyota August Sales down 16.1% with 129,483 vehicles sold.
   
5. Nissan August Sales up 17.7% with 82,517 vehicles sold.
   
6. Honda August Sales down 27.2% with 82,321 vehicles sold.
   
7. Hyundai August Sales up 4.9% with 58,505 vehicles sold.
   
8. Kia August Sales up 22.0% with 41,188 vehicles sold.
   
9. VW August Sales up 6.2% with 25,232 vehicles sold.
   
10. BMW August Sales down 4.0% with 23,924 vehicles sold.
    
11. Mazda August Sales up 10.2% with 22,632 vehicles sold.
    
12. Subaru August Sales down 9.9% with 20,837 vehicles sold.
    
13. Mercedes-Benz August Sales up 1.3% with 20,728 vehicles sold.
    
14. Audi August Sales up 6.8% with 10,201 vehicles sold.
    

[xcel]

Hi Colin:

This is by far the best darn sales report on the net hands down!!!

Wayne

[Mendel Leisk]

No mention of the HF on Honda Canada site, not even "coming soon" like the Hybrid.

(I'll read up on the US site)

Weight's about the same as the other sedan civics. MPG slightly better. The overview makes mention of 3 aero mod's: unigue mags, trunk lid spoiler, and some underbody panels, coupled with a slight lowering.

[ALS]

In the Hybrid Electric segment at the end there are some really ugly sales numbers for August 2011 below the Leaf. That doesn't bode well for the future of Hybrids and Electrics if they can't turn them around. 302 Volts a month and they blaming production limitations? Really!!!

How much money do they have invested in this car and they can only built 302 a month?

The Volt was only up by a small amount, to 302, and only because production had been stopped. If only GM could make more than 300 each month.

I coming to the conclusion that with in three years the Volt will disappear like the Retro Ford Thunderbird and Holden Pontiac GTO.

[Dream'R]

I didn't notice any reference to the Civic Hybrids in this report.

According to Honda's August sales report, there were only 106 Civic Hybrids sold in August, down 86.6% from the 761 sold a year earlier. No doubt this is a result of supply problems from Japan and possibly the changeover to the 2012 model.

Year-to-date: 2850 compared to 4489 in 2010, down 36.8%.

I continue to enjoy the driving experience in my '08 model. It is much more engaging if you're willing to exploit the hybrid's design features. In the summer 60+ mpg is easy to get at moderate highway speeds.

Cheers,

Roger

[Carcus]

So, .... are efficient ICE sales chewing into hybrid sales?

[ALS]

Originally Posted by Carcus

So, .... are efficient ICE sales chewing into hybrid sales?

I'm starting to think that same thing. The price premium over the more fuel efficient standard drive train cars may be affecting the sales of hybrid cars.

The math works when your looking at a 30 mpg Civic vs a 50 mpg Prius. A $5,000 premium and your only saving $700 a year at 15,000 miles. At 12,000 miles a year your saving $560 per year with gasoline at $3.50 a gallon.

[ItsNotAboutTheMoney]

Originally Posted by Dream'R

I didn't notice any reference to the Civic Hybrids in this report.

According to Honda's August sales report, there were only 106 Civic Hybrids sold in August, down 86.6% from the 761 sold a year earlier. No doubt this is a result of supply problems from Japan and possibly the changeover to the 2012 model.

Year-to-date: 2850 compared to 4489 in 2010, down 36.8%.

I continue to enjoy the driving experience in my '08 model. It is much more engaging if you're willing to exploit the hybrid's design features. In the summer 60+ mpg is easy to get at moderate highway speeds.

Cheers,

Roger

No offense meant.

My EV list is usually a top 10. The production problems that have hurt hybrids so severely, Honda in particular, pushed them down to 12th. I have just made it a top 12 to make the HCH and HiHy owners happy.

[ItsNotAboutTheMoney]

Originally Posted by xcel

Hi Colin:

This is by far the best darn sales report on the net hands down!!!

Wayne

Thanks!

I'd have been quicker but motivating myself to build the wordy bit takes me so damn long.

[Mendel Leisk]

The stat's on hybrids sold are extremely weighted with Prius, like this heavy weighter at one end of the bench, and a gaggle of also-rans over at the other end, trying to keep the thing from flipping over, LOL.

Honda's Civic Hybrid sales are abysmal, more-or-less 2 per State. I recollect once by happenstance we parallel parked ours beside another one: what are the odds? Should have got a lottery ticket that day