April 2007: Down Month for Many Auto Makers ; Several Bright Spots in Luxury Segments
 |
SEE ALSO: NEW CAR BUYERS GUIDE
By AIADA
Staff
With two less selling days this April, auto
dealers saw across-the-board declines in end-of-month sales figures.
GM and Ford took the No. 1 and No. 2 spots
– Ford eked out second place by a hair with 213,657 total units,
compared to
Despite two less selling days, several luxury
brands showed marked gains in April. Audi was up 9.4 percent; Infiniti up
3.4 percent; Lexus up 5.3 percent; Mini up 2.1 percent; and, Land Rover was
up 12.7 percent.
In the ultra luxury segment Ferrari rose 80
percent; Maserati was up 33.7 percent; and, Bentley rose 4.5
percent.
And Mitsubishi continued its roll in April,
rising 11.1 percent for a total of 12,047 units.
Following is a breakdown of
April 2007 monthly sales by International
nameplate:
Combined Toyota Motor Sales,
Scion
Scion April sales reached 7,960 units. The tC
sports coupe led the way with April sales of 5,333 units. Scion xA posted
sales of 1,454 units for the month.
Lexus
The Lexus division reported April sales of
25,995 units, an increase of 5.3 percent. Lexus is up 6.9 percent on the
year for a total of 99,486 units.
Lexus passenger cars reported best-ever April
sales of 16,317 units, an increase of 22.6 percent over April 2006. The ES
350 luxury sedan led the way for the luxury brand with best-ever April
sales of 6,544 units, up 42.2 percent. The all-new LS 460 and LS 460 L
reported combined sales of 3,182 units, an increase of 197.1 percent. Lexus
light trucks were down 14.9 percent in April on sales of 9,678 units. The
RX 350 and RX 400h enjoyed combined April sales of 7,861 units. The RX 400h
hybrid luxury SUV hit sales of 1,384 units for the
month.
Honda
Combined sales for American Honda Motor Co.,
Inc., declined 9.1 percent in April for a total of 126,419 units. Truck
sales for the group rose 5.6 percent to 55,300 units. Year-to-date sales
for American Honda totaled 480,627 units, up 1.6 percent at the end of
April.
The Honda division reached sales of 111,226
units, down 7.1 percent over last April’s record-breaking sales.
Honda division year-to-date sales were up 3.4 percent for a total of
421,773 units.
American Honda Executive Vice President Dick
Colliver said small cars and crossovers like Fit, Civic and CR-V performed
well amid rising concern over the price of gasoline. Fit sales set a new
April record with 3,958 units, up 13.1 percent. The all-new CR-V had its
fifth consecutive record sales month, with sales totaling 17,379 units, up
39.4 percent. Civic sales rose 1.0 percent to 29,155
units.
Acura
Sales of Acura brand vehicles dropped 21.6
percent in April 2007 for a total of 15,193 units. Year-to-date sales for
the luxury brand reached 58,854 units, down 9.5 percent on the
year.
The TL performance luxury sedan was the
top-selling model for April, posting sales of 5,350 units. Boosted by
strong sales of the redesigned MDX SUV (up 10.4 percent to 4,497 units for
the month), Acura light truck sales hit a record 6,648 units, up a whopping
50.6 percent. The previous light truck record of 5,073 units was set in
2005.
Nissan
Nissan North America, Inc., in April saw group
sales of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles decline 18 percent to a total of
71,124 units. Year-to-date NNA group sales on par with last year at 350,105
units.
Nissan division sales took a hit in April,
dropping 20.7 percent for a total of 61,179 units.
Both car and truck sales suffered. The Altima continued to be the
volume leader for the brand with 15,826 units sold. Sentra came in second
with 6,502 units sold. Murano SUV sales reached 6,316 units, and Frontier
pickup sales were at 5,230 units.
Infiniti
Infiniti division sales for the month rose 3.4
percent over April 2006 on the sale of 9,945 units. Car sales for Infiniti
were up 6 percent for a total of 7,548 units. For the year, the luxury
brand is up 9.5 percent with a total of 42,490 units. The all-new G35 Sedan
contributed sales of 4,491 units, up 58.6 percent over last April sales of
the previous model.
Hyundai
Hyundai sales were off 4.6 percent last month,
reaching a total of 39,137 units. For the year, the brand is down 2.5
percent for a total of 143,342 units.
While car sales were off 21.8 percent in April,
Hyundai light truck sales rose an incredible 62.1 percent for a total of
13,653 units. The all-new 2007
Kia
Kia’s April sales reached 26,007 units
last month, down 6.5 percent from April 2006. Year-to-date sales for the
South Korean brand were at 99,610 units at the end of April, a 7.5 percent
increase over the same period last year.
Spectra led the pack for Kia with its best sales
month of 2007 – 7,203 units. Sales of the Optima midsize sedan also
were at its best of the year in April with 4,538 units, rising 20.3 percent
over April 2006. Sportage SUV sales were next, up 28.8 percent on the month
to 3,695 units. The
BMW
BMW Group sales rose a slight 0.4 percent for a
total of 28,716 units. On the year, BMW Group sales are up 2.9 percent over
the same period in 2006 for a total of 104,125 vehicles
year-to-date.
BMW brand sales continued to be strong in April,
reaching 25,310 units, up 0.2 percent over April 2006. Year-to-date sales
for the division rose 4.9 percent to 92,670 units. BMW’s car sales rose
10.1 percent last month for a total of 20,290 units. The 3 Series sedan was
the volume leader with 8,060 units sold. 5 Series sedan sales were
relatively flat at 3,505 units. Meanwhile, BMW SUV sales dropped 26.4
percent in April to 5,020 units. Both the X3 and the X5 continue to be very
well received, with X5 sales increasing 21.8 percent in April
2007.
MINI
MINI’s April sales reached 3,382 units, a
rise of 2.1 percent over last April. Year-to-date, MINI sales are off 10.5
percent for a total of 11,455 units.
Mercedes-Benz
The C-Class was once again the volume leader in
April with sales of 5,130 units, up 27.2 percent over the same month last
year. The E-Class was next in line with sales of 4,011 units, a hike of 6.2
percent versus April 2006. The M-Class, ranked third with sales of 2,382
units, followed closely by the S-Class sedan, with 2,067 units sold for the
month. In the luxury light truck segment, the GL-Class continued to show
strong momentum with sales of 1,866 units. The G-Class more than doubled
its volume to 101 units.
Mitsubishi
For six consecutive months – and nine of
the last ten months – Mitsubishi sales have increased compared to the
same month of the prior year. Last month, Mitsubishi reported across the
board gains in both its car and light truck divisions. April sales jumped
11.1 percent for a total of 12,047 units, and year-to-date sales for the
brand are up 19.6 over the same period last year.
Sales of the all-new Outlander crossover and
2008 Lancer are fairing quite well, up 152.4 percent and 263.5 percent,
respectively. Mitsubishi Lancer/Mirage sales led all other models with
sales of 4,178 for the month, marking Lancer’s largest sales month
since May 2004.
Subaru
Subaru sales declined 14.2 percent in April for
a total of 13,786 units. Car sales for the brand were off 3.9 percent from
April 2006, and light truck sales dropped 28.5 percent for the month.
Sales of the Impreza model were up 12.7 percent
for the month to 3,455 units. The Legacy was the volume leader for Subaru
with 5,505 units sold. Subaru Tribeca posted 1,081 units sold for the
month, while Subaru Forester recorded 3,580 units.
Volkswagen
Volkswagen of America, Inc. group sales in April
dropped 2.6 percent for a total of 27,658 units. For the year, Volkswagen
is on par with 2007 sales at 100,103 units.
Volkswagen division sales reached 19,086 total
units in April, down 7 percent from April 2006. Jetta sales led the way
with 8,234 units. Rabbit sales, up 65.2 percent, gave the automaker a boost
with 3,097 units. Passat sales were at 3,439 units for the month.
Volkswagen’s new hard-top convertible Eos posted its best month ever
with April sales of 1,142 units.
Audi
Audi sales in April rose 9.4 percent over the
same month last year for a total of 8,106 units, reaching a record for the
month of April and marking Audi’s sixth consecutive monthly all-time
record. Year-to-date sales for the brand were up 15.2 percent over the same
period in 2006.
The A4 Cabriolet model line had the largest
increase for the month at 25.9 percent. A4 sales led the way contributing
3,906 units in April. A6 combined sales reached 823 units.
Mazda
Mazda sold 21,060 units in April, dropping 5.9
percent compared to April 2006. Year-to-date sales for the brand are up
11.7 percent to 100,134 units.
April sales were led by the MAZDA3, with 8,046
units. The MAZDA3 is up 29.8 percent on the year with sales of 39,972
units. Light trucks as a whole were up for Mazda in April, rising 22.6
percent for a total of 6,688 units. The CX-7 SUV hit sales of 2,740 units
for the month, bringing its year-to-date total to 12,680 units. CX-9 SUV
sales were at 1,776 units in April for a total of 5,469 units for the year
thus far.
Suzuki
Suzuki sales dropped 14 percent in April to
9,179 units. For the year, Suzuki is off just 0.9 percent for a total of
36,973 units.
Reno/Forenza sales led the way with 3,885 units
in April. Suzuki light trucks rose 16.6 percent for a total of 5,044 units.
Sales of Suzuki’s XL7 were up 49.3 percent on the month for a total
of 2,366 units.
Porsche
Sales for Porsche in April totaled 3,015 units,
a decrease of 9.8 percent from April 2006 – a record month for the
luxury sports carmaker.
Porsche new 2008
Maserati
Sales of Maserati luxury sports cars realized
significant gains in the first quarter of 2007, rising 14 percent over 2006
– a record year for Maserati. Last month, the Italian brand reached
242 units sold, topping the previous sales record of 235, set in July of
2005 - a point in time where Maserati jumped over 90 percent in volume.
Sales of the Quattroporte remain strong with the
DuoSelect Maserati Quattroporte commanding over 50 percent of total
Quattroporte sales. Maserati will introduce the two-door Maserati
GranTurismo in the fourth quarter of this year.
Jaguar
Jaguar was down 28.5 percent last month for a
total of 1,424 units. The XJ series was the volume leader for the brand
with 452 units sold. It was followed closely by the XK series, with 437
units sold.
Volvo
Volvo sales in April reached 4,211 units,
dropping 16.5 percent for the month. Sales of the XC90 SUV led the way with
2,169 units. S40 sedan sales followed with 1,993 units. S80 sales were up
7.4 percent for a total of 990 units, and S60 sales reached 1,504 units for
the month.
Land
Rover
Land Rover sales were up 12.7 percent last
month, boosted by sales of the LR2 and Range Rover Sport, which hit 1,302
units and 1,247 units, respectively. LR3 sales dropped to 808 units for the
month and Range Rover/HSE sales registered at 854
units.
Saab
Saab sales dropped 25.3 percent last month for a
total of 2,350 units. The 9-3 Series was volume leader for the brand,
selling 1,615 units.
Isuzu
Isuzu sold 592 units in April, a decline of 33.3
percent over last April. Isuzu I series pickup sales led the way for the
automaker with 364 units, down 13.7 percent from the same month last year.
Ascender/Trooper sales reached 228 units, down 48.6
percent.
The chart below details sales for International brands in April 2007 (Numbers presented are based on unadjusted data for April 2007):
|
Brand |
Apr 2007 |
Apr 2006 |
%Chng |
2007 CYTD |
2006 CYTD |
%Chng |
|
Acura |
15,193
|
19,372 |
-21.6% |
58,854
|
65,023
|
-9.5% |
|
Audi |
8,106
|
7,412
|
9.4% |
29,134
|
25,296
|
15.2% |
|
Bentley |
466
|
446
|
4.5% |
1,551
|
1,288
|
20.4% |
|
BMW |
25,310 |
25,250
|
0.2% |
92,670
|
88,353
|
4.9% |
|
Ferrari |
162 |
90
|
80.0% |
562
|
431
|
30.4% |
|
Honda |
111,226 |
119,752
|
-7.1% |
421,773
|
407,945
|
3.4% |
|
Hyundai |
39,137 |
41,025
|
-4.6% |
143,342
|
147,013
|
-2.5% |
|
Infiniti |
9,945
|
9,618
|
3.4% |
42,490
|
38,805 |
9.5% |
|
Isuzu |
592
|
884 |
-33.0% |
2,394
|
3,335
|
-28.2% |
|
Jaguar |
1,424
|
1,991
|
-28.5% |
5,672
|
7,115
|
-20.3% |
|
Kia |
26,007
|
27,807
|
-6.5% |
99,610
|
92,640 |
7.5% |
|
Land
Rover |
4,211 |
3,736
|
12.7% |
14,413
|
15,035
|
-4.1% |
|
Lexus |
25,995 |
24,679
|
5.3% |
99,486
|
93,056
|
6.9% |
|
Maserati |
230 |
172 |
33.7% |
756
|
671
|
12.7% |
|
Maybach |
15
|
15
|
0.0% |
60
|
60 |
0.0% |
|
Mazda |
21,060
|
22,385
|
-5.9% |
100,134 |
89,656
|
11.7% |
|
Mercedes-Benz |
20,910
|
21,285
|
-1.8% |
76,940
|
72,572
|
6.0% |
|
Mini |
3,382 |
3,313
|
2.1% |
11,455
|
12,798
|
-10.5% |
|
Mitsubishi |
12,047 |
10,841
|
11.1% |
43,692
|
36,536
|
19.6% |
|
Nissan |
61,179 |
77,102
|
-20.7% |
307,615
|
311,142
|
-1.1% |
|
Porsche |
3,015
|
3,341
|
-9.8% |
11,244
|
12,458
|
-9.7% |
|
Rolls
Royce |
24 |
30
|
-20.0% |
113
|
120
|
-5.8% |
|
Saab |
2,350
|
3,144
|
-25.3% |
9,770
|
11,366
|
-14.0% |
|
Subaru |
13,786
|
16,073
|
-14.2% |
56,762
|
61,140
|
-7.2% |
|
Suzuki |
9,179
|
10,669
|
-14.0% |
36,973
|
37,308
|
-0.9% |
|
Toyota |
184,462
|
195,286 |
-5.5% |
716,826
|
671,760
|
6.7% |
|
Volkswagen |
19,086
|
20,528
|
-7.0% |
69,418
|
73,824
|
-6.0% |
|
Volvo |
8,139
|
9,749
|
-16.5% |
35,092
|
38,200
|
-8.1% |
|
Total |
626,638 |
675,995 |
-7.3% |
2,448,801 |
2,414,946 |
1.4% |
Source: AutoData Corp.
Chart:
AIADA