Thanks largely to stimulus programs in the US and Europe, Toyota announced that it has eked out an operating profit of 58 billion yen instead of the average estimated loss of 63 billion yen from five analysts. Toyota now is forecasting a lower operating loss of 350 billion yen ($3.9 billion) for the year through March 31, and is presumably on track to a profitable following year. But with the stimulus programs’ end, Toyota continues to hunt desperately for cost savings, like its recently announced elimination of the F1 program, which cost a tidy $300 million per year. (Read More…)

Hybrids are big in Eugene, but some are just plain huge. The Prius is the official new car here, having dethroned Subaru. But here’s a hybrid of a different color: instead of a marriage of two drive systems, it’s a cross between two brands, the engine of one transplanted into another. Back in the day, when these were popular, the goal was speed, not better mileage. And the resulting names of these cross-species hybrids were more colorful than Prius or Insight: Fordillac, Studillac, Fordick, Fordolet. Well, here’s a new one: a Chevmobile. (Read More…)

Last but not least, it’s time to play CC Clue. Nothing like blogging to make the time fly by. Daniel J. Stern identified the Volvo 122 on the second guess of that round. Can he do it again? Do I need to make them harder?

Edmunds, the site that’s so not going to be sleeping in Lincoln’s bedroom, has revealed their estimates for October sales incentives. Not surprisingly, the automaker that’s been hogging Honest Abe’s pallet and has been missing saying, “we’re number one [globally],” can claim this number one spot. GM spent $4,277 of somebody else’s dollars per unit to move the metal and help buy that 4% sales increase. Hey, don’t complain—they can afford it unlike those wimpy little guys at Honda, who could only cough up $508 per unit. What’s wrong with them anyway? Oh, they’re actually profitable. OK. Moving right along, let’s check in with the rest of the gang: (Read More…)

Edward caught this flying over the skies of Detroit this morning.

Not taking a page out of Audi’s playbook, Toyota has decided that the best defense is a strong offense. The risk of the accelerator getting jammed is strictly a problem of unintended loose or ill-fitting floor mats, according to Toyota Bob Carter, general manager of the Toyota-brand division of Toyota Motor Sales USA. Letters are on the way to owners of certain Toyota and Lexus models warning them about the errant mats as part of a safety recall. More certainty after the jump: (Read More…)

We’re a little short-staffed right now (always?), the boss is on the road, and I’m a little bleary from my first day at the helm, so instead of staying up all night building spreadsheets,I’m going to give all you number junkies the links to the various companies’ press releases and their own detail tables and charts. Please share your thoughtful analysis with the rest of us lazy bums.

GM Ford Chrysler Toyota Honda Nissan Hyundai Subaru Mitsubishi Suzuki  VW Daimler BMW

Update: here’s an excellent set of charts and data at WSJ

We tried, last year. And Edward gave it a good shot. But this year, we have our priorities straight. Instead of gazing admiringly at the world’s largest production pickup truck (32 feet long), Ed is in Detroit peering into Chrysler’s crystal ball. Depending on how that all works out we may be back at SEMA next year. Or we might just stay home.

[pickuptrucks.com]

“I have to be careful on what I say, I don’t want you guys writing a story saying, ‘This Toyota guy thinks the Hyundai Sonata is a great car.'”

—Toyota’s Group VP and General Manager, Bob Carter, responding to a request to comment on the strength of Hyundai as a competitor.

Two days ago, TTAC’s Bertel Schmitt wrote: “GM may not have to sell Opel after all”. How right he was. In the latest twist on the endless Opel saga, GM’s Board of Directors has canceled the planned sale to Magna and Sberbank. With references to an an improving economy (and an uptick in US sales?) and Opel’s strategic importance to the mothership, CEO Fritz Henderson stated: “GM will soon present its restructuring plan to Germany and other governments and hopes for its favorable consideration. We understand the complexity and length of this issue has been draining for all involved.” Magna had no (repeatable) comment. Former bidder RHJ said in October it was no longer interested. (Read More…)

VW posted a 7% increase in October over the same month a year ago. The Rabbit’s fade-out led the negative column, with a 44% decline. The Jetta posted a solid 25% increase. The Passat, down 41%, is giving way to the CC, which is way up at +256%. The CC now outsells the Passat almost 3 to 1. Since the Passat is going away soon in favor of VW’s new USA mid-sedan, and the CC is going to stay, this trend is probably being engineered through incentives (and the lack thereof).

Audi was down 1% overall. 5 is the magic number for Audi: the A5 was up 28%, and the Q5 is already the second best seller in the lineup. Mid-sized crossovers to the rescue! The more larger/more expensive models, such as A8, R8 and Q7, are taking the biggest hits.

BMW Group was the big loser among the Germans, down 19%. Both the BMW brand (-19%) and Mini (-20%) took the hit equally. The 1 series is sinking, with sales down 57%. The new 7 posted a 10% increase. BMW light trucks (that’s a hard couple of words to type) were down disproportionately, especially the X3, down 86%. The lovely X6 managed a 39% increase.

Daimler overall was up 9%, but that was the result of the Smart’s maxi sized decline of 70%. Ouch! Mercedes was up smartly, with +21%, led by the new E-Class, +190%.

Porsche’s 15% increase in October helped reduce their year-to-date totals to -29%.

[NOTE: Picture above is not the original one posted with the story. If the comments confuse you, this is why.]

The Hyundai knockouts continued unabated in October. Sales in October were up 47% from ’08. Year-to-date totals are up a solid 5%. Total sales for the month were 54k, which is starting to get precariously close to Chrysler’s 66k total for the month. Post to be updated as soon as details for Hyundai and Kia brands are available.

We’ll give you the quick top-line October ’09 vs. ’08 results, and get the details as soon as I catch my breath:

Toyota and Honda sales were both less than 1% changed. Nissan had a 6% boost. Mazda slid 8%. Suzuki was off 50% (in the middle of major product cycle changes).

Stabilization is the word of the day but at still low levels.

[Update]: Mitsubishi joins its other co-declining Japanese soul-mate, Suzuki, with a 48% drop in October.

In its first year-over-year sales increase since January 2008, GM posted a 4% increase in October, and estimates a 21% market share. The four core brands (Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac), which now account for 95% of GM sales, were up 11.6%.  Year-to-date totals are down 34%.

Cadillac led the way with a 22% increase, reflecting a 280% increase of the new SRX. CTS was down 27%; STS: -44%; DTS: +19%.

GMC had the second highest increase, with a 20% increase. Terrain: +85%; Sierra: +6%; Acadia: +7%; Yukon/Yukon XL: +72%

Buick came in with a 19% increase, led by LaCrosse, beating its last year’s sales by 103%. Enclave: 38%; Lucerne: -28%

Chevrolet brought up the rear, with a 9% increase. Aveo is still lagging, down 54%. Impala also dragged, down 43%. Malibu was up 11%. Camaro sold just over 8k units, continuing its lead in the pony car field. The new Equinox was up 177%; Colorado: -32%; Traverse sold over 9k units. Silverado pickups held even; Tahoe: +111%; Suburban: +72%.

Chrysler’s implosion continued unchecked in October, with sales down 30% from October 2008. Here are some of the details: Sebring: -32%; 300: -15%; PT Cruiser: -96%; Aspen: -95%; Chrysler brand Total: -36%.

Jeep fared only slightly less badly: Compass: -62%; Patriot: -65%; Wrangler: -16%; Liberty: -30%; Grand Cherokee: -42%; Commander: -47%; Jeep Brand Total: -37%

The (non Ram)Dodge was the bright spot: Caliber: -87%; Avenger: +13%; Charger: -22%; Challenger: -20%; Journey: -16%; Caravan: +8%; Nitro: -42%; Durango: -95%;  Dodge Brand Total: -22%

And the (un Dodge) Rams: Dakota: -46%; Ram P/U: -30%; Sprinter: -52%; Total Ram: -32%

Total year-to-date sales for all Chrysler vehicles: -39%   And the beat goes on.