Edmunds.com Forecasts June Auto Sales: Industry on Track for Annual Sales of 16.4 Million New Vehicles
SANTA MONICA, Calif.; This month's new vehicle sales (including fleet sales) are expected to be 1.55 million units, a 3.4 percent increase from June 2006, according to Edmunds.com, the premier online resource for automotive information.
This June had 27 selling days, one more than June 2006. When adjusted for this difference, sales decreased 0.5 percent from June 2006. (The chart below sets forth other adjusted and unadjusted comparisons.)
Change from June 2006 Change from June 2006
(Adjusted for more (Unadjusted for more
selling days) selling days)
Chrysler 5.9% 10.0%
Ford -11.0% -7.6%
GM -10.2% -6.7%
Honda 6.6% 10.7%
Nissan 16.3% 20.8%
Toyota 11.1% 15.4%
Industry Total -0.5% 3.4%
"In order to understand the year-over-year comparisons of sales for each automaker this month, one must remember that last June was one of the best sales months of the year for some automakers, and was particularly disappointing for others," observed Jesse Toprak, Executive Director of Industry Analysis for Edmunds.com. "This month, automakers seem to have achieved sales at more typical and sustainable levels rather than the dramatic highs and lows of last June."
While industry sales may be relatively flat this month, certain market segments appear to be thriving. Traffic patterns on the Edmunds.com Web site suggest that the crossover segment is poised for robust growth in the next several weeks. Research of crossover vehicles was up 67 percent year over year, indicating a surge in the number of consumers who are likely to buy crossover vehicles within the next six weeks.
"The crossover is such a smart idea; it's the station wagon, the minivan, the SUV of this decade," commented Michelle Krebs, Senior Editor of Edmunds' AutoObserver.com. "Activity within the segment also demonstrates how lots of new products can generate interest."
Another promising market segment may surprise some. "Despite high gas prices, research of large trucks was up 21 percent compared to June 2006. This can likely be attributed to the segment's new products and increased incentives spending," stated Edmunds.com Analyst Leah Lesch. "On the other hand, research of midsize and large SUVs declined 22 percent and 13 percent, respectively, indicating a drop in consumer demand and potentially sluggish sales in the coming weeks. Automakers might boost incentives in those segments to attract buyers."
The combined monthly U.S. market share for Chrysler, Ford and General Motors (GM) domestic nameplates is estimated to be 53.6 percent in June 2007, down from 57.4 percent in June 2006 and up from 52.8 percent in May 2007.
Edmunds.com predicts Chrysler will sell 205,000 units in June 2007, up 10.0 percent compared to June 2006. This would result in a new car market share of 13.2 percent for Chrysler in June 2007, up from 12.4 percent in June 2006 and up from 12.8 percent in May 2007.
Edmunds.com predicts Ford will sell 244,000 units in June 2007, down 7.6 percent compared to June 2006. This would result in a market share of 15.8 percent of new car sales in June 2007 for Ford, down from 17.7 percent in June 2006 and down from 16.1 percent in May 2007.
Edmunds.com predicts GM will sell 381,000 units in June 2007, down 6.7 percent compared to June 2006. GM's market share is expected to be 24.6 percent of new vehicle sales in June 2007, down from 27.3 percent in June 2006 and up from 23.9 percent in May 2007.
Edmunds.com predicts Honda will sell 140,000 units in June 2007, up 10.7 percent from June 2006. Its market share is expected to be 9.1 percent in June 2007, up slightly from 8.4 percent in June 2006 and down slightly from 9.3 percent in May 2007.
Edmunds.com predicts Nissan will sell 91,000 units in June 2007, up 20.8 percent from June 2006. Nissan's market share is expected to be 5.9 percent in June 2007, up from 5.0 percent in June 2006 and down slightly from 6.0 percent in May 2007.
Edmunds.com predicts Toyota will sell 257,000 units in June 2007, up 15.4 percent from June 2006. Toyota's market share is expected to be 16.6 percent in June 2007, up from 14.9 percent in June 2006 and down from 17.3 percent from May 2007.
About Edmunds Inc. (http://www.edmunds.com/help/about/)
Edmunds Inc. publishes four Web sites that empower, engage and educate automotive consumers, enthusiasts and insiders. Edmunds.com, the premier online resource for automotive consumer information, launched in 1995 as the first automotive information Web site. Its most popular feature, the Edmunds.com True Market Value®, is relied upon by millions of people seeking current transaction prices for new and used vehicles. Edmunds.com was named "Best Car Research Site" by Forbes ASAP, has been selected by consumers as the "Most Useful Web Site" according to every J.D. Power and Associates New Autoshopper.com Study(SM), was ranked first in the Survey of Car-Shopping Web Sites by The Wall Street Journal and was rated "#1" in Keynote's study of third-party automotive Web sites. Inside Line launched in 2005 and is the most-read automotive enthusiast Web site. CarSpace launched in 2006 and is an automotive social networking Web site and home to the oldest and most established automotive community. AutoObserver.com launched in 2007 and provides insightful automotive industry commentary and analysis. Edmunds Inc. is headquartered in Santa Monica, California, and maintains a satellite office in suburban Detroit.