NB: Our numbers are straight from the various companies’ media sites. There may be discrepancies between them and those from other sources, because some may be be NA (Canada too) and other US only.
We are currently researching purchasing an automotive sales analysis data base from a supplier. Our goal is to provide timely, accurate information and analysis. That has never been done before consistently at TTAC. Stay tuned for an announcement.
Let’s take a closer look at the top-selling mid size “Camcordia” class sedans for November and YTD (year to date). Keep in mind that one month does not paint much of a picture. A new incentive or a push in fleet sales can distort short term sale substantially. Speaking of fleet sales, some industry watchdogs have suggested that the Hyundai and Nissan upturns in November were well-fed by fleet sales.
(Sorry about the columns not lining up, and the Accord should be in the #2 ranking)
| Ranked by YTD Sales | Nov. 09 | % from Nov.08 | YTD 09 | from YTD 08 |
| Accord | 17239 | 8% | 261818 | -25% |
| Camry | 27385 | 18% | 312270 | -21% |
| Altima | 15490 | 43% | 184925 | -27% |
| Fusion | 13774 | 54% | 161819 | 18% |
| Malibu | 11113 | 43% | 142194 | -27% |
| Prius
Sonata |
9617
8178 |
21%
52% |
127907
109543 |
-15%
-1% |
| Optima | 1644 | 57% | 35549 | -18% |
| Avenger | 3571 | 51% | 35123 | -41% |
| Legacy | 2802 | 83% | 27354 | 32% |
| Sebring | 3044 | 5% | 23023 | -66% |
| Lacrosse | 3400 | 63% | 22237 | 77% |
What’s the actual Malibu YTD numbers? Seems like the Altima’s numbers were duplicated. The Malibu is presumably between Fusion and Prius.
Fixed.
I don’t suppose you have the average transaction price for these vehicles? That would be illuminating. And how many months are we into the new LaCrosse? Up 77% is impressive but can it hold at that level or will pent-up demand soon clear and it’s back to the bargain lot?
If someone had asked me to guess, I would have put the Altima at 5th or 6th. Third is quite a surprise to me.
Looking at the Honda Accord in this picture, a white one from this angle. It looks an awful lot like an old Chrysler K-car. Emphasis on the “awful”.
Egads, and to my eyes the current Accord is one of the best-looking cars out there.
I still have no idea why they decided to go “Mercedes with more subtlety” for Honda and then a direction that I can best describe as “Saturn with more bling” for Acura.
Interesting. Accords are rarely seen in daily rental fleets, while the Camry, Sonata, Fusion and Sebring seem to be commonplace there. Hyundai has that factory in Alabama to keep busy and seems to have been consistently pushing output into the daily rental fleets, which isn’t necessarily a bad strategy.
I hope you’re kidding. Accords are more common than Sebrings or Avengers in rental fleets. Sure, the Chrysler cars might have a higher percentage of total production, but when you compare their combined 57000 ytd sales to the Accord’s 261000 ytd sales, you can start to see the picture. Also, Honda will always report a lower fleet sales percentage because they are specifically set up to have dealers handle fleet orders rather than Honda NA directly. I’m not sure why this is so, but it is. I’ve been in rental cars for 5 1/2 years and it’s been true the entire time. I’ve been through two different companies during that time, and for the whole time, both of those companies have rented a very considerable number of Hondas. Out of the list above, only the Camry, Sonata, Malibu, and Fusion are more common than the Accord, in my experience.
Interesting, I almost never see Accords on the lot when I rent cars. Maybe it is a regional or rental company variation thing.
The rental car lots for the local airport are visible from the main road. Not an Accord in sight, but plenty of Altimas, Sentras, Camrys, Corollas, Sonatas, Malibus and Cobalts.
A row of new Camaros is parked in front of the main office.
The reason that there are more Accords than Sebrings/Avengers in rental fleets is probably because even rental car companies have turned their backs on the Mopar twins.
The numbers I have seen on Fleet Central support John’s stance.
Accord’s only sell 1-2% fleet IIRC. Camry 10-12%. SOnata, Fusion rather higher. Malibu (haven’t seen this year) pretty high and Crycos stuff maybe 50%.
Keep in mind, this is from the gray matter storage.
Bunter
that lower grill is just plain ugly..
Ford have got to be happy with Fusion and Toyota with Prius.
The Fusion isn’t exactly lighting the world on fire, what with selling about 30% the volume of the CamCords.
Which can’t make Ford happy seeing as they bought…err…won many awards and all the reviews are mostly positive.
For all of the cheerleading Ford has done with the 2010 Fusion…you would think it would come somewhat close to the “new for 2006” Camry numbers.
Ford couldn’t produce nearly enough Fusions to match the Camry or Accord. Hermosillo’s total capacity is around 300,000 – with everyone to the wall. That means all the Fusions, MKZs, and Milans all come from that total. So, we’re down to 240,000 as the max Ford could sell. But then, all of the Fusions sold in Canada, Mexico and South America all come from there. I estimate at best they could produce 200,000 Fusions/year right now for the U.S.
Considering it’s probably going to end the year up about 20%, I doubt Ford is losing much sleep over its inability to make up for 10 years of pathetic product in the segment with 3 years of an average midsize and 9 months of a competitive midsize.
And here is yet another reason that I am an armchair CEO rather than actually ascending on that path. I find it amazing that the Fusion is performing so well. With its shared platform and being built in Mexico, I’d venture to guess that this vehicle is actually profitable for Ford.
The Fusion is obviously benefiting from the Ford Bubble. I mean, how many “Buy American” choices are left which did not receive a bailout? Throw in a fresh face and the obligatory Al Gore edition, and you’ve got a recipe for short-term numbers. But long-term, it is difficult to see this car as anything but an anomaly.
I can certainly see your point about short term sales, but what I don’t see is that you can write-off the car as a has ran against the Camry and Accord.
It provides everything that the Camry can offer, or even better in some terms.
The Accord is the anomoly here, that is growing and growing in size and will soon compete with the Lucerne…
If word of mouth is kind to the Fusion and it proves to be a reliable car to many, than it could easily gain ground against the so called “levithans” of the market, especially against the Camry where it seems Toyota may be slipping in quality and Matgate could come crashing down on them if it is proven that their ECUs are to blame.
Roundel, I think you’re missing the same thing on the Accord that most others do.
The outer dimensions and weight are very much midsize still (ti’s actually lighter than most), it is just the interior that is large.
Since when is more efficient packaging a bad thing?
Bunter
Well then under your summary then, the Sonata (gasp!!) is also an anomaly since those nice big fleet sale gains help give it market share. Long term wise without those sales, who knows where the Sonata will be?
The Accord does not at all look like any K-car! From some angles (esp from the back) it actually looks more like some 5-series Bimmer!
The Accord should sell far better, and far closer to the Camry.
Anybody knows what’s wrong with Honda? Their inventories are swelling and now are bigger than the Detroit 3’s!! They were 80 days a month ago and may go to 100 days if they do not start some deep discounts!
I’m not seeing the new LaCrosse lumped in here with this bunch. Base CX starts at over $27,000 and most models are low to mid $30’s. If you’re going to put LaCrosse in, why not dump ES, Maxima, TL in here too?
Agreed, mjz.
It’;s a bigger car too. Almost identical to an Avalon inside and out.
Makes the Lucerne redudant in my book.
Bunter
Where is the Mazda 6’s sales figures?