Severe weather didn’t stop December light vehicle sales. The seasonally adjusted annualised rate (SAAR) came in at a better than expected 12.55m and, according to Ward’s, sales volume in 2010 reached nearly 11.6m.
The Detroit automakers added to their market share. Ford was most improved with December sales up 10.8% and 2010 sales up 19.5%. The F-Series pickup finished its 29th year as America’s bestseller and the Fusion was the top American badged car.
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GM monthly sales rose 12.5% and annual sales were up 7.2%. The Camaro won the pony car wars. Buick was top performer for the month and year. Chevrolet delivered 326 Volts in December.
Chrysler 2010 sales climbed 16.5 %. December sales rose 20.1%. The Town & Country reclaimed the minivan crown. Jeep’s Grand Cherokee and Wrangler had their best sales years since 2007. Trucks brought in 85.8 % of the bacon in December but cars should improve in 2011.
A year of bad news left Toyota in the red 2.0% for the month and 0.4% for the year and cost it its second place ranking. The Camry repeated as the best-selling car in America and Lexus did the same as the top luxury brand.
Honda enjoyed a 25.5% jump in December sales, leaving it 6.9 % ahead of 2009 and ensconced in fourth place. The Honda CR-V was the best-selling crossover/SUV.
Nissan December sales climbed 32.4% propelled by the Versa and Armada; 2010 sales were up 18.0%. A 115.5% increase in M sales gave Infiniti a nice boost. Nissan sold 19 Leafs (Leaves?).
Despite predictions Hyundai/Kia would pass Nissan, the Korean juggernaut came up short but set sales records for both brands. December sales were up 42.3%; annual sales rose 21.7%.
Subaru reported another record year: December sales were up 15.7 % and the Outback drove annual sales to a 21.8% gain.
Mazda, Mitsubishi and Suzuki all reported improved numbers for December and Mazda and Mitsubishi closed out the year ahead of 2009. Suzuki was left with a 38.0% deficit.
Tata got a split decision in December as Jaguar sales fell and Land Rover sales rose. However, both brands were in the black at year’s end.
The BMW/Mercedes sales war ended with BMW the winner. Both German brands saw better numbers in 2010 though Daimler continues to be dragged down by Smart.
Volkswagen had its best December since 2005 and its best year since 2003. Audi celebrated its all-time best sales year in North America as volume broke the 100,000 unit mark.
The new Cayenne and Panamera pushed Porsche sales up 25.7% in December and 28.6% in 2010.
Saab sold 28.3% more cars in December 2010 than it did in the same month a year ago but still came up 37.3% short on the year.
Light trucks, mostly crossovers, captured the majority of US sales in 2010. Full size pickups increased their market share, indicating businesses are still spending on their fleets.
The outlook for 2011 is cautiously rosy with hopes of 12m sales and dreams of 13m.
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