AIADA International Nameplate Vehicle Manufacturer Highlights from 2005
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As 2005 draws to a close, and new goals are being set for the new year, it’s a great time to remember how far International nameplates have come in the last 12 months.
Fantastic sales figures come to mind first, as International brands closed out November with an overall 4.9% sales increase, versus the relatively flat 0.9% rise recorded by the market as a whole. Market share also increased through 2005, to 42.9%, up 1.6% compared to the same month in 2004. The sales increases came as many brands introduced completely new vehicles, refreshed existing models and extended efforts to make inroads in new markets. Many brands also expanded their dealer body, adding new points and introducing new designs to make showrooms more inviting.And employment increased as well, both at the dealer level, to handle the expanded volume, and by manufacturers, as Hyundai added a new plant in Alabama and existing facilities expanded the number of vehicles manufactured in the United States, by American workers and for American consumers.
Here then is a list of some of the highlights from 2005:
Toyota
-- Sales are up 9.9% through November, and they achieved 2
million unit sales a month earlier than 2004.
--
The Prius is the best-selling hybrid in the United States, with nearly
100,000 units sold in 11 months; 2005 also saw the introduction of the
Toyota Highlander Hybrid and the Lexus RX400h.
-- Scion, the experimental small car mini-brand, will
sell over 150,000 units in 2005.
-- The Tacoma is the best-selling small pickup in the
U.S.
-- The Camry and
Corolla maintain their spot as the #1 and #3 best selling cars,
respectively.
Honda
-- Sales are up 5.8% through
November.
-- The redesigned 2006 Civic won Motor Trend’s Car of
the Year, plus
-- The Honda Ridgeline pickup won Motor Trend’s
Truck of the Year, the first time an automaker has taken both crowns.
--
The Accord and Civic are the #2 and #4 best-selling cars in the country,
respectively.
-- The redesigned Acura RL’s sales are up
140.1%.
Nissan
--
Carlos Ghosn cemented the company’s turnaround by achieving 1 million
unit sales in the fiscal year, plus the company will sell 1 million for
the first time in a calendar year, bringing the million selling club to
six automakers.
-- Sales are up 10.3% for the first 11 months of
2005.
-- Sales of the Pathfinder SUV are up 122.3%.
-- The new
Infiniti M35/45 vehicles have sold 21,448 units.
--
The company has recently announced it is moving its U.S. headquarters
from California to Tennessee, emphasizinng its commitment to
the heartland.
Hyundai
-- Opened their $1.1 billion plant in
Montgomery, Alabama, their first in the United States.
-- November sales
of the American-built Sonata landed the car in the top 10 best selling car
list for the first time.
-- Unveiled an all-new entry-level Accent
subcompact, as well as a new flagship sedan, the Azera.
-- Sales of the
new Tucson SUV lifted their truck sales 14.3%.
-- Overall sales are up
8% for the year, through the first 11
months.
Kia
-- Sales are up 2.9% through
November, helping them to repeat their position as 6th best selling
International nameplate.
-- Hired Len Hunt as Executive Vice President
and COO.
-- The new Sportage SUV recorded 26,328 unit sales through
November, lifting light truck sales 13.2%.
Volkswagen
-- Hired Wolfgang Bernhard to lead
turnaround.
-- New Jetta recording a late-year sales surge, up 72.7% in
November and 17.3% for the year to date.
-- Launched a new Passat for
2006.
-- Getting ready to introduce EOS sport
coupe.
Audi
-- Introduced new A3 compact
--
Sales of A4 sedan up 11.4%, wagon is up 16.9%.
-- Sales of the A6 are up 35.2% for the first 11
months.
-- Overall sales up 5.6% for the year to
date.
BMW Group
-- Overall
sales for BMW and MINI are up 4.2% through November.
-- 3 series sedan
sales are up 18.9% on the year to date.
-- BMW announced a new Z4 for
2006.
Mitsubishi
-- Introduced
the new Eclipse coupe, leading the company to two consecutive months of
sales improvement.
Land Rover
--
Introduction and sales of the LR3 and Ranger Rover Sport have
reinvigorated the brand, with sales up 30.8% for the year to
date.
Mazda
-- Sales of the
Mazda 3 are up 29.1% through November.
-- Introduced the MX-5, the
newest edition of the best-selling Miata sports coupe.
Subaru
-- Sales are up
4.8% through November.
-- Introduced their first-ever SUV, the B9
Tribeca.
Suzuki
-- Sales are up
9.8% through November.
-- Sales of the Forenza/Reno platform are up
68.9%.
-- Sales of the Grand Vitara are up 53.2%.
Mercedes
-- Introduced
two new SUVs, the redesigned M-Class and the R-Class, both built in
America.
Volvo
-- Sales of the
S40 are up 11.5% on teh year to date.