International Nameplate Automobile Dealers Announce Monthly Sales

International Nameplate Automobile Dealers Announce Monthly Sales June Sales Push SAAR Past 14 Million

Alexandria, VA--July 5, 2012: The American International Automobile Dealers Association (AIADA) today released June 2012 sales figures for the international nameplate automobile industry. AIADA represents America's approximately 10,000 international nameplate franchises whose brands accounted for 53.6 percent of all vehicles sold in the United States last month.

Falling gas prices and rising demand for new vehicles drove sales higher than expected in June. AutoData Corp. estimated the seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) at 14.08 million units, versus 11.56 million units a year ago. Sales for all brands, unadjusted for business days, rose 22.1 percent compared June 2012 and 14.8 percent year over year.

Among international brands, Honda and Toyota led sales growth in June. Up 45.6 and 57.5 percent respectively, the Japanese manufacturers appear to be fully recovered from last year's tsunami and subsequent production interruptions. Nissan's sales were up 24.6 percent and Volkswagen saw a 34.2 percent improvement from June 2011. Incentives per vehicle were down from May, with each unit sold receiving an average of $2,187 in discounts.

"Demand for new cars isn't softening," said AIADA President Cody Lusk. "All indications are that the automotive industry's recovery is both solid and lasting."

In June, international brands accounted for 688,794 units sold, down from 727,607 in May. Asian nameplates occupied 44 percent of the U.S. auto market, down from 45.4 in May. European nameplates grew from 9.1 percent in May to 9.6 percent in June. Domestic brands finished the month with a 46.4 percent share of the market, up from 45.5 in May.

Read AIADA's complete coverage of June's international nameplate auto sales here June Sales