Nissan Oct. 2012 Sales down 3.2% + 2013 Sentra Preview

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Altima selling well with Sentra stumbling a bit out of the blocks.

Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - Nov. 2, 2012

2013 Nissan Sentra – $15,990 to start with the 6-speed stick and sports a 30/40 mpgUS city/highway rating in FE + trim with the CVT.

Following on the heels of the very thrifty, well appointed and affordable all-new 2013 Altima, the all new Sentra is another good one.

The all-new Sentra is 150 pounds lighter and more aerodynamic than the previous generation and with its completely revamped Xtronic CVT, Nissan was able to use a more fuel-efficient 130 HP 1.8L vs. the 140 HP 2.0L shod in current Sentra’s for approximately the same straight-line performance. The 1.8L and CVT together provide a remarkable 13 percent improvement in EPA combined fuel economy over the 2.0L predecessor.

With the FE+ models, Sentra achieves up to 40 mpg on the highway. Where the Sentra is going to shine is that all models equipped with CVTs achieve a best-in-class EPA rated 34 mpg combined (City and Highway).

2013 Nissan Sentra Design

The all-new Sentra's incorporates Nissan's signature trapezoid-shaped grille and large wraparound headlights with a twist. It now includes an “Audiesque” LED headlight accents as standard equipment. In the rear, LED taillights are standard.

The new Sentra's chromed beltline has been lowered offering more greenhouse and a new character line has been added that rolls off the front fender flare and finishes at the sculpted rear wraparound taillights and trunklid like no other Sentra before it. The entire day light opening has been trimmed in chrome adding to the C-Segment luxury appearance. On the bottom, a lower sill sculpted cutout adds to its attractiveness.

Other exterior features include chrome door handles and accents, available heated outside mirrors with integrated turn signals, and available sport front and rear fascias and rear spoiler. None of those final pieces were mentioned to help or harm fuel economy.

The all-new Sentra.

2013 Nissan Sentra Size and Dimensions

The all-new Sentra provides one of the largest interior volumes in the C-segment at 95.9 cu. ft. along with ample rear seat legroom and a whopping 15.1 cu. ft. of cargo volume in what has to be a rather large trunk just missing the “Best-in-Class” Cruze’s 15.4 cu. ft. Sitting in the back seat, it is easily the largest with almost 3 in of knee/legroom when setting up the front for my 6 ft. frame and immediately moving to the rear seat.

Yes, there is plenty of room back there!

The coefficient of drag (Cd) has been significantly reduced to 0.29 from the previous 0.34.

2013 Nissan Sentra - Inside it is even better

Sentra's new look includes a completely revamped and higher quality softer touch interior, well padded driver's door armrest, available leather-appointed seating and available Maple wood-tone trim. The instrument panel curves out towards the doors and features what Nissan is calling “Fine Vision electroluminescent gauges” that are backlit even in daylight, providing a high-quality look that is also easy to read.

The rear seat is a standard 60/40 split folding design, offering versatile access to the trunk.

C-Segment Competitive Comparisons

Year	Make	Model	Engine	HP	Torque (lb-ft.)	mpgUS (city/highway)	Weight (lbs)	Wheelbase (in)	Length (in)	Width (in)	Height (in)	Passenger Volume (cu. ft.)	Cargo Volume (cu. ft.)
2013	Nissan	Sentra	1.8L	130	128	30/40	2,750 – 2,850	106.3	182.1	69.3	58.9	95.9	15.1
2013	Chevrolet	Cruze	1.8L	138	125	22/35	3.093 – 3,102	105.7	181.0	70.7	58.1	95	15.4
2013	Ford	Focus	2.0L	160	146	27/37	2,907 – 2,935	104.3	178.5	71.8	57.7	90.2	13.2
2013	Honda	Civic	1.8L	140	128	28/39	1,608 – 2,795	105.1	177.3	69.0	56.5	94.6	12.5
2013	Hyundai	Elantra	1.8L	148	131	29/40	2,661 – 2,877	106.3	178.3	69.9	56.5	95.6	14.8

The all-new 2013 Sentra is a classy looking compact that is not only efficient
but affordable if you are careful with the trim and option checkboxes.

2013 Nissan Sentra Fuel Economy Preview Results

This is an area where all-new Sentra exceeds many of its competitors capabilities but only ties that of the Honda Civic EX-L with NAVI and its conventional 5-speed automatic. The result shown above was a 25 mile RT loop without any averaging fuel consumption display or Odometer calibration. That said, while most would be ecstatic to achieve this all highway result, given the wonderful temperatures, I expected quite a bit more. The much larger and more powerful 2013 Altima offered 64.6 mpg over a 115 + mile RT drive loop while the much lighter and smaller Sentra barely bested that.

For more on the all-new 2013 Sentra, look no further than the 2013 Nissan Sentra Pricing, Options and Specifications write-up.

Nissan October Sales Results

Nissan reported October U.S. sales of 79,685 units versus 82,346 units a year earlier, down 3.2 percent. Nissan Division sales decreased 6.0 percent for the month at 70,928 units. Sales of Infiniti vehicles were up 27.6 percent over the prior year, to 8,757 units.

Nissan Highlights

Nissan posted sales of 70,928 units, down 6.0 percent from last October's 75,484 units.

Sales of the all-new, 2013 Altima increased 12.8 percent to 24,623 units while calendar year-to-date, sales are up 16.3 percent year-over year.

The Nissan LEAF all-electric vehicle recorded strong sales of 1,579 units in October, up 86 percent from the prior year.

Sales of the Pathfinder SUV rose 46.9 percent over the prior year, with sales of 3,043 units. The next-generation Pathfinder will debut later this month.

Al Castignetti, VP, Nissan:

"Unfortunately, October ended on a down note with Hurricane Sandy. To lend a helping hand, Nissan is offering both employee discounts and employee financing to eligible residents in FEMA disaster areas."

Nissan October 2012 Highlights and Overall Sales

Model	Oct-12	Oct-11	Oct-DSR % change	Oct-12 YTD	Oct-11 YTD	YTD-DSR % change
LEAF	1,579	849	+86.0%	6,791	8,048	-15.9%
Versa	8,311	8,889	-6.5%	93,883	80,500	+16.2%
Sentra	5,624	8,384	-32.9%	91,464	98,410	-7.4%
Altima	24,623	21,838	+12.8%	258,663	222,392	+15.9%
Nissan Totals	79,685	82,346	-3.2%	946,169	856,425	+10.0%

The daily selling rate (DSR) is calculated with 26 days for both Oct 2012 and Oct 2011. Year-to-date, 
the DSR is calculated with 256 days for all of 2012 and 255 for all of 2011. All percentages reflect DSR.

Top 10 - Oct 2012 US Automobile Sales Leaders

Sales Rank	Make	Model	Oct-12	Oct-11	Oct-DSR % change	Oct-12 YTD	Oct-11 YTD	YTD-DSR % change
1	Ford	F-Series	56,497	52,511	+7.6%	520,230	468,899	+10.5%
2	Chevrolet	Silverado	38,739	36,656	+5.7%	336,939	333,092	+0.8%
3	Toyota	Camry	29,926	22,043	+35.8%	344,714	251,564	+36.5%
4	Honda	Accord	28,349	22,589	+25.5%	276,196	203,603	+35.1%
5	Ram	P/U	25,222	21,037	+19.9%	238,815	199,010	+19.5%
6	Nissan	Altima	24,623	21,838	+12.8%	258,663	222,392	+15.9%
7	Toyota	Corolla	20,949	16,244	+29.0%	243,652	203,135	+19.5%
8	Honda	Civic	20,687	16,173	+27.9%	254,716	183,557	+38.2%
9	Honda	CR-V	20,205	19,326	+4.5%	233,586	180,361	+29.0%
10	Ford	Escape	19,832	19,046	+4.1%	219,907	206,896	+5.9%

The daily selling rate (DSR) is calculated with 26 days for both Oct 2012 and Oct 2011. Year-to-date,
the DSR is calculated with 256 days for all of 2012 and 255 for all of 2011. All percentages reflect DSR.

Top 10 sales rank notes: No surprise that the top 5 remained the same as last month. Altima, Civic, CR-V and Escape pushed the Cruze out of the top 10. Civic rejoined the top 10 in October and wound up at #8 on the list. Civic and CR-V pushed the Escape back to #10. Corolla moved to #7 from the #9 spot last month.

B-Segment Sales Rank

1. Nissan Versa - 8,311
2. Chevrolet Sonic - 5,495
3. Ford Fiesta - 3,991
4. Honda Fit - 3,773
5. Fiat 500 - 3,720
6. Hyundai Accent - 3,373
7. Toyota Yaris - 2,579
8. Kia Rio - 2,005
9. Mazda2 - 1,124

C-Segment Sales Rank

1. Toyota Corolla - 20,949
2. Honda Civic - 20,687
3. Chevrolet Cruze - 19,121
4. Ford Focus - 18,320
5. Hyundai Elantra - 14,512
6. VW Jetta - 13,476
7. Mazda3 - 9,518
8. Kia Forte - 5,911
9. Nissan Sentra - 5,624
10. Dodge Dart - 5,455

D-Segment Sales Rank

1. Toyota Camry - 29,926
2. Honda Accord - 28,349
3. Nissan Altima - 24,623
4. Hyundai Sonata - 16,773
5. Kia Optima - 12,948
6. Ford Fusion - 12,690
7. Chevrolet Malibu - 9,629
8. Chrysler 200 - 8,758
9. VW Passat - 8,355

Segment ranking items of note:

In the B-Segment, the Fiesta climbed from 6th to 3rd, Fit fell back a spot to 4th, Accent fell from 4th to 6th with the Yaris and Rio swapping positions near the bottom.

The C-Segment ranks saw the aging Corolla once again retake the sales lead while the Cruze fell to 3rd behind the Civic. The brand new Sentra fell one spot and from my understanding it was more of a supply issue with the new model. It is a better car than many above it.

The D-Segment ranks saw no changes from last month.

Automobile Manufacturer's US Sales Rank – Oct 2012 vs. Oct 2011 Comparison and Total Sales

1. GM Oct Sales up 4.7% with 195,764 vehicles sold.
   
2. Ford Oct Sales up 0.4% with 168,456 vehicles sold.
   
3. Toyota Oct Sales up 15.8% with 155,242 vehicles sold.
   
4. Chrysler Oct Sales up 10.2% with 126,185 vehicles sold.
   
5. Honda Oct Sales up 8.8% with 106,973 vehicles sold.
   
6. Nissan Oct Sales down 3.2% with 79,685 vehicles sold.
   
7. Hyundai Oct Sales down 4.1% with 50,271 vehicles sold.
   
8. Kia Oct Sales up 12.6% with 42,452 vehicles sold.
   
9. VW Oct Sales up 22.4% with 34,311 vehicles sold.
   
10. BMW Oct Sales up 18.5% with 32,339 vehicles sold.
    
11. MB Oct Sales up 9.0% with 26,642 vehicles sold.
    
12. Subaru Oct Sales up 30.1% with 26,119 vehicles sold.
    
13. Mazda Oct Sales up 1.6% with 18,622 vehicles sold.
    
14. Audi Oct Sales up 14.5% with 11,708 vehicles sold.

Manufacturer's US Sales Rank items of note: BMW and MB passed up Subaru in October otherwise the rankings remained steady.

Through the first nine months of 2012, the Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate (SAAR) is running at approximately 14.7 million.