Compared with the previous month, November 2014 saw smaller automakers pick up market share at the expense of America’s largest automobile manufacturers. General Motors and Ford Motor Company combined to lose nearly a full percentage point in November even as the Volkswagen Group, Subaru, and Daimler AG combined to equal that in terms of gains.
Year-over-year, Volkswagen brand sales have now increased in two consecutive months, a distinct turnaround after 18 consecutive months of decline. Of course, sales at the VW brand are really up (+3% YOY) because they were down. Compared with November 2012, sales last month were off 14%. Volkswagen was America’s 14th-best-selling auto brand in November 2014, up from 15th in November 2013 but down from ninth in November 2012. 2.4% of the new vehicles sold in the United States in November of this year were Volkswagen products. Audi chimed in with another 1.3%, up from 1.1% a year earlier.
Long-term gains in 2014 don’t belong to Volkswagen of America, of course, nor do large sales volumes. On the other hand, FCA’s wide-ranging family of brands – Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Jeep, Maserati, and Ram – have produced 12.7% of America’s new vehicle sales during the first eleven months of 2014, up from 11.6% during the equivalent period one year ago. Alfa sold their first 24 4Cs in November; Maserati sold 11,531 cars between January and November of this year. This month’s chart reflects the input of those two brands, having in previous months only taken Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, and Fiat into account.
Timothy Cain is the founder of GoodCarBadCar.net, which obsesses over the free and frequent publication of U.S. and Canadian auto sales figures.
Am I correct that this includes pickup trucks and the sort?
In the third paragraph it includes the Ram brand.
Wow, Mazda only has 1.6%! Are they the next Suzuki?
No, because unlike Suzuki their market share/sales are growing (sales up 7.7% YTD), they have competitive cars in most of the major market segments, and have upcoming cars in other growing segments (i.e. CX-3). They are also partnering with other automakers to help themselves out in the smaller segments (i.e. with Fiat for the Miata).
Also keep in mind Mazda is so small because it is just Mazda. Mazda has sold more cars YTD than Chrysler (the brand), although Chrysler might inch ahead in December.
Mitsubishi is in the “others” and likely to be the next Suzy.
Mitsubishi is a huge, well-financed industrial conglomerate that is content to keep a finger in the US market for the foreseeable future, selling just a few of the models here that it sells elsewhere. Suzuki is a much smaller company that makes a profit building and selling low priced cars in low wage countries, and is still run by its unpredictable founder.
How do Ford and GM stay up there? Especially when supporting US jobs is no longer a viable reason?
And I wonder how that will change when we boomers are mulch or ashes.
Edit: *derp* Pickups. Never mind.
Imagine what Toyota could be if their pickups weren’t shunned.
Its not like Ford and GM are terrible, its not 10 years ago. The Focus, Fusion, Fiesta, Cobalt, Sonic, Verano, Lacrosse are all competitive in their respective segments. The two companies basically own the pony car/”cheap sports car” segment with the Mustang/Camaro, and their CUVs/SUVs are all for the most part very good.
Plus you can’t beat their dealership network. I like Audi’s for example, but the nearest Audi dealership is 150 miles away while the nearest Cadillac dealership is about 5 miles away from me.
…and there is probably a Buick/GMC store near you and two Chevy stores, so the ability to have your car serviced literally anywhere is never a problem. Same deal with Ford.
There is a lot to be said for ease of serviceability in non-urban areas.
Closest gmc dealer, 2 miles to me. Ford, 4 miles. Jaguar land rover, 110 miles. Volvo, 150 miles. Mazda, 10 miles. I know that plays a huge part in people’s decisions here, unless their mind is completely set on driving 100+ miles to the closest “euro” luxury dealer. Although there Is a big complex less than 5 miles away that houses everything from kia to Porsche
I agree about dealerships. Out here, if you can find a bar and a church, you’ll also find a Chevy dealer and maybe Ford.
Two churches and you’ll have a Mopar presence (especially if one’s Baptist). It’s still 1970 ’round these parts. I think Toyota has undoubtedly written off penetration of über flyover land as not worth the investment.
Out here in the west in a city of 20,000 in a county of 75,000 (it’s a geographically huge county) there is a Chevy/Toyota dealership (seriously they share ownership and lot space). It was a lot stranger when they were a Chevy/Olds/Cadillac/Toyota dealer. We have a Buick/GMC dealer. A Ford/Lincoln dealer. A Chrysler/Dodge/Ram/Jeep dealer. The only other foreign presence is a Nissan dealer.
Any other brand is between 140 and 220 miles away in Farmington, NM or Albuquerque, NM or Flagstaff, AZ.
And that weighs mighty heavily on the collective consciousness when every year brings 20-below and feet of snow while every out of town trip is at least 50 miles each way. You buy what your tribe has always bought because they’re right here to yell at if something goes bad.
I’m sure you have the southwestern equivalent going on.
A couple of blocks from my house is the Cadillac/Chevy/GMC/Ford/Lincoln dealership, yep all one and that’s what everybody drives. You have to drive 10 miles to the Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep/Ram dealership owned by the same guy
Are those Russ Darrows?
Here in Australia most car dealers sell multiple brands.
In Darwin Kerry Motors sells;
1. Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge,
2. GMH/HSV (Holden),
3. Mazda,
4. Mercede Benz, and
5. Nissan.
The automotive sellers are broken into what are called “Groups”.
I do think it is the best way to allow for so many brands and models we have to be sold competitively.
There were previous charts done by Cain that shows that although GM and Ford sell as a percentage more pickup trucks than other makers, when you put pickups, SUVs, and CUVs together the picture of who sells more cars to trucks changes – A LOT. The reality is almost all makers are now dependent upon SUV and CUV sales to pay the bills – it is where the profits are.
Lets look at the Camry for example. Toyota will sell 428K to 435K Camrys in 2014 (they were at 398K). Impressive isn’t it?
Ahhhh. But then we look at some other facts:
1) In total volume (not percentage) it is the number one fleet seller in America – over 60K Camrys are destined to rental and livery operations. This in itself isn’t bad, but fleet sales represent lower unit profits and at this kind of volume depresses resale value.
2) The Camry has the lowest ATP price in its class. That means it sells for less on average transaction, then any other car in its class. Even lower than the prior generation Chrysler 200, which was not a “bad” car, but a big ball of suck.
3) $169 lease deals, no money down, less than $2K out of pocket, 0% interest, plus cash on the hood plus average dealer discounts off sticker of close to 10%. Camry incentives have been on parity with the Ford Fusion, to give some perspective.
So hooray! Toyota has made Camry king again – and they did it through every possible unnatural act right out of the Detroit how to sell a lot and make it up in volume playbook.
GMs fleet sales are down for 2014, after being down for the year before, and other makers are picking that volume up (look at how many Avalons and Yaris go to fleet – yikes!).
The Fusion can be called a lot of things, but bad? Hardly.
Here is some cold hard reality for you.
Ford, GM and Ram make very fuel efficient trucks. The gains in under a decade are nothing short of remarkable. Toyota’s Tundra isn’t “shunned.”
It’s uncompetitive. It has outdated engines attached to an outdated transmission. It gives abysmal fuel economy. The frame is anything but rigid under stress. The previous generation Tundra was very overstyled with a fussy interior. These aren’t my “opinions,” these are shared views in the industry.
Go to Fuelly. Look up the 1/2 ton truck fuel averages for Ram, Ford, Chevrolet, and Toyota for 2014 (not enough 2015 data).
Ram: 19.5 MPG
Ford: 18.1 MPG
Chevrolet: 17.5 MPG
Toyota 14.6 MPG
Be mindful to, these averages are across all engine and transmission combinations – they are the “average.”
For comparison, Ram and Ford MPG for fullsize trucks, are close to minivan grade now. Chevrolet isn’t all that far behind – and Toyota is in the dark ages. There isn’t anything that Toyota has pointed to in their product roadmap to suggest replacements for the very thirsty 4.7 and 5.7 V8s are in the near future (the 5.7 is a damn nice engine, but would benefit from a 7 to 9 speed automatic and direct injection in the economy department).
Worse yet – the tone deaf product marketing team making the Tundra said fuel economy isn’t a focus for them because their buyers said they don’t care.
Gee – amazing isn’t it – because everyone else advertises on fuel economy and Ram can’t build their trucks fast enough.
The point.
The idea that fullsize trucks are planet destroying status symbols isn’t really all that true anymore. The idea that the Tundra is somehow superior to the Ram, F-Series, Silverado, and Sierra is simply not true. The Tundra (and Titan) are both woefully uncompetitive. The Titan is also a reliability nightmare, not to mention terribly outdated (the new version can’t come fast enough).
The reality is Toyota, Honda, and Nissan have not built a truly viable alternative to the Detroit fullsize trucks. Enough time has gone by that if a better mouse trap was presented, they’d have been bought.
American buyers have made it clear, they’re use to $4 a gallon gas, and with $2 a gallon gas quite possible, prepare to be very disappointed to see the continued purchase of trucks, SUVs, and CUVs from all manufacturers.
Golly gee, you mean GM, Chrysler and Ford continue to be around after the economic meltdown because they build things customers want to buy?
Who’d a thought!!!
@APaGttH,
The Toyota and Nissan pickup issue was a poor decision by both companies.
What they didn’t take into account was the rapid improvements of the full size segment. They entered the pickup segment at the end when a chassis/platform for a pickup lasted 20 years plus.
This is even shown with the Frontier and Tacoma/Hilux pickups. They have not advanced with the other manufacturers.
The Tacoma is living on Toyota’s past reputation and I do think Toyota and Nissan will realise this.
Toyota and Nissan must remain competitive with their pickups. I’d bet you will see a change in their approach in developing their pickups in the future.
Poor decision, probably, but they did manage to take away some sales from Ford, GM and RAM.
To me, it is all about presence in the market place, and both Nissan and Toyota have it. Maybe a small presence, but at least they have one.
It worked for me.
So if it is about presence in the market place then I expect you think Saab should have stuck around because they took some (not many) sales from somewhere and had a presence!!
mike978, yes, I do think Saab should have stuck around. And they did for as long as it was economically viable for their financier to do so.
Did you know that for decades the German Autobahn Polizei used Saabs and Porsches to patrol the Autobahns? Both of those vehicles were in their element when they could run WOT.
Saab was lost on most Americans. According to Jonathan Gruber Americans are just too stupid to appreciate or understand what is good for them. And that includes cars, I presume.
Saab was one of those cars that was lost on Americans.
I always marveled at how effortlessly Saab patrol cars could cruise at speeds well in excess of 125mph/200kph while my Olds Toronado or Custom Cruiser would strain and guzzle gas at 85mph wheezing through all four carburetor barrels at once.
The Tundra has made some inroads on the Tacoma’s laurals, but the Titan is a joke. No one takes that truck seriously, least of all truck buyers.
I never owned a Tacoma, but currently own a 2011 Tundra 5.7. I owned a 2006 F150 prior to this, and a 1988 Silverado. Neither was as good as the Tundra.
My #3 son owns a Tacoma, and it doesn’t appeal to me. Too small for me. But it is ideal for what he wants to do with it; tow a boat to the Gulf, or JetSkis, or haul stuff home from Home Depot.
@Stalwart Toad
Give your horse and your lance arm a rest.
Toyota is just plain the purest manifestation of manufacturing and marketing genius in the world and all your tilting against it won’t make that untrue.
Toyota products have developed some issues after they started making them here.
Mr Toyoda acknowledged this in front of the US Congress.
Hopefully, future Toyota products will once again become the standard of the world for all to compare themselves against.
Ya, Apple knows nothing of manufacturing, quality, or marketing.
I’m guessing you’re Black Dynamite from LLN.
That was one of the most ridiculous and biased analyses of pickup trucks I have ever read.
I again have to wonder why VW continues to show up for this dance.
Well VW wants to rule the world so it would be silly not to be in the US, and they are there for us who want small oil burning wagons and hatchbacks, yes they do not always understand the US market but if they put in the effort they would sell more cars and trucks here, not a dead brand by any means
As far as dealers here in Metro NY any dealer I want is within 5 miles so I just take it for granted , thanks for pointing out how much you have to love a Audi for example to buy one with a dealer 100 miles away.
Still no midsize crossover. Still no 3rd row people mover. Still no heritage-inspired VW Bus that they could milk for like a decade at least.
But everyone’s gee-gaw over some hot hatch seventeen people will purchase new. Oh, and the Phaeton is coming back to battle with the Equus and K900 to see who can take the sales crown away from whatever out of production orphan models are lingering around from other manufacturers.
Same reason as the rest of ’em… $’s
My frame of reference is Ohio in the mid-2000s, but I remember when every major urban area had at least 2 Mitsubishi dealers. So did most medium-sized towns, and every megadealer group had one too.
I haven’t seen a Mitsubishi dealer, in person, for at least 3 years.
Their most competitive product these days is the Mirage, to my surprise. I guess it fills a niche in the bottom of the market that I don’t consider much anymore. This car seems to have stopped Mitsubishi’s freefall in the US – for now.
I still think that they’ll soon leave the US market. Margins on Mirages can’t be good enough to support even the meager dealer network they have today.
It’s almost as though people buy Mitsubishis in spite of the consistently bad reviews their cars receive – which tells you something about the reviewers, perhaps.
One key to their viability is the 10/100 warranty, matched only by Hyundai/Kia, I think.
Their reviews seem to differ greatly depending on which side of the pond you’re on too I noticed. Most people see the Mirage for what it is (even if the Americans are far less charitable about it when choosing their words) but the Outlander Sport/RVR/ASX actually gets some fair-to-high praise everywhere Old Glory doesn’t fly. I guess Americans have a different set of standards and/or require their vehicles to serve a different purpose than folks in Europe, Asia, etc. Not taking sides or saying one’s right or wrong, it’s just interesting.
They’re handled by Sears outlet stores now. They’re actually easy to find because the rest of the mall is usually dead.
Did they replace the Suzuki dealerships?
Well, Ed sez dey wanted to but koodent get nobody at Suzuki on da fone.
Too bad cuz dey made a damm goot snowmobile.
Not to mention motorcycles and some fun cheap little SUVs
Yah, well yah, dem too.
My dealer group also has a Hyundai/Mitsu dealer. Lots of signs and promotional stuff for the Lazy H brand, but all they have for signage for Mitsu is a big banner. Not like its new-been a dealer for them since the late 80’s/early 90’s I guess. But when they re-did the building they did not want to invest in any Mitsu signage…hmmm wonder why??
Could be worse, in Green Bay there is a huge new building that was opened by a Chrysler chain. It’s their local State Police HQ now.
The percentage of new mazdas and subarus I see in relation to this chart in cny is highly disproportionate
Well Mazda sales are up and it is pretty easy to spot the new ones with their very long hoods due to the Skyactive system. It’s like somebody put Viagra in their gas tanks.
Or King Features hacked their CAD software.
King Features owns the rights to Snoopy-nosed Mazdas? Who owns the Smiley-face?
Chelsea Clinton
Certainly not her mother
True, she’s nothing like Stacy’s mom.
Depends on where you are. I sell Subaru in New England-where supposedly Subaru is the 5th best selling brand. They told us that at a corporate training, so take it with a grain of salt I guess-but it would not surprise me. But Subaru does not have nearly as high a presence in other parts of the country obviously so the national percentage is small.
Subaru replaced Saab with the elbow patch crowd in New England.
And rightly so. What’s closer today to the values of a 240 wagon than a Forester?
Subaru CUVs/wagons are just a home run with smart, non-showy people.
Edit: Elbowpatches kicked me into Volvo flashbacks…
That’s my third DERP today. I’m done.
Depends on where you are, indeed.
In my mountain-country area, Subarus are impressive sellers even though the nearest Subaru dealer with any kind of selection is in El Paso, TX, more than 90 miles south of me and more than 140 miles away from the mountain communities.
Many of the ski resorts still have several antique Subarus running around for their staff and guests, and many individuals in the mountain communities have more than one of the old relics they keep around to tool around in, especially in the winter.
Subarus are very popular in Birmingham, AL. They definitely started taking off after the decline of Volvo and the demise of SAAB. I used to travel to Boulder, CO to see my ex I laws a few times a year and we’re not in that league, but they’re all over the place here–mostly Foresters and Outbacks. Legacy sedans and Impreza (and the XV version) are not nearly as common.
I didn’t know that about Birmingham. I’m not a Subaru fan myself, but I can appreciate the loyalty that its owners have because of the value for the money.
I know from seeing them in my area that they will last and last as long as they get timely and regular maintenance, like changing the rubber CV joint boots.
Highdesertcat- there are a number of neighborhoods in B’ham proper’s southern and eastern areas that have taken on a Portlandia vibe–brew pubs, foodie oriented dining, etc.–and the concentration of Subarus, VW/Audi, Mazda 3, Toyota Prius, Mini Coopers, Smarts, FIATs is quite high.
vwgolf420, I’ll have to remember that, if I ever get back to Birmingham again.
The last time I was there I stayed at the Sheraton and walked all over the adjacent Convention Center and also the UAB campus, enjoyed some fine southern food, and the next time I may even get to enjoy some Portlandia vibe.
Good deal!
Subarus are stupid popular here in West Central Florida and it really makes absolutely no sense as this is one of two states where there is absolutely zero rationale for all-wheel drive. Fine by me because local dealers have no idea what to with 4-10 year-old trade-ins and they certainly don’t buy repo’d Subarus at the sale. I buy them all up, recon them, and ship them up north after a brief stint on eBay, Cars.com, Craigslist, whatever. Actually, about half my Subarus go north while the other half stay local for some reason.
Foresters are such gold, too. The equation is simple – Florida-ownership (no rust), under 140k miles, and no cigarette odor. Anything else flies. Bad CARFAX? No problem. Pet dander? Everyone who buys these things have dogs anyway. Manual transmission? Shut up and take my money.
My best one lately was a 2004 Forester 2.5X automatic w/134k miles, silver with blacked-out steelies. Bought it red-light from Santander for $2100. They opened it at $2100 and not a single dealer wanted it. Had my detailer drive it home, oil/lube/filter, had my shop inspect it – recent timing belt, newish Michelins all around, recent brakes, recent plug/wires, needed an A/C compressor. $200 later, front-line ready. Never even got the chance to get wheel covers – sold for $4800 like four days after I raised my hand.
Smooth moves, Flybrian! Most people have no idea how lucrative private sales can be.
I would say the US economy is on a steady rise. Alfa is the only returning euro brand poised to make advantage. PSA could arrive too late.
I agree. The US economy is indeed poised for a meteoric rise, but only for the next two years, so far.
These are the good old days, the best time to buy a new house, a new car if you can afford it.
No guarantees after the election of Nov 2016. Who knows what that future holds in store?