July 2009 sales: Best ever July for Subaru, Ford posts first gain in 19 months
08/03/2009, 1:14 PM
By Andrew Ganz
Driven in part by the Cash for Clunkers program, several automakers have posted strong July sales. Subaru set a July record with sales up 34.2 percent, while Ford Motor Company says that July was its first month in over a year to post an increase in monthly sales – but GM, Chrysler and Toyota all posted less-than-stellar numbers.
Though the long term effects of Cash for Clunkers have yet to be determined, the program clearly helped spur new car sales during the last week of July, particularly among four-cylinder models. July is not traditionally a strong month for automakers since current year inventories tend to be weakening and plants are shut down for year-to-year retooling.
June sales saw sales perking up a bit and Volvo and Subaru even posted positive results.
Don’t forget that sales figures are to be compared to July 2008 numbers and keep checking this space as we will post updates when we get them.
The good
Hyundai saw sales go up 12 percent thanks in part to Cash for Clunkers. The automaker says that 22 percent of its July sales were Cash for Clunkers trade-ins. Other than the Santa Fe SUV, all of Hyundai’s volume products saw sales increases over July 2008.
Toyota posted the strongest overall sales month of any automaker, with sales of 156,355 units, though it was down 10.8 percent overall. Only the Prius, RAV4 and Highlander saw increases of sales – up 29.7 percent (to 19,173), 32.5 percent (to 15,912) and 39.1 percent (to 9,407), respectively.
Though sales at General Motors weren’t especially hot overall, the Chevrolet Impala posted a 9.6 percent gain (to 14,649, which outsold Malibu) and Pontiac G8 sales continued to be strong as the automaker clears out remaining inventory (up 63.3 percent to 2,404). On the truck side of things, the all-new Chevrolet Equinox saw a 77.8 percent increase (to 10,834).
Hefty demand for the Volkswagen Jetta TDI pushed the automaker up to its first sales increase in a year. Though VW doesn’t break out diesel sales, its Jetta sedan saw an 8.5 percent increase (to 9,663), while the SportWagen increased 612.4 percent (to 2,415).
Chrysler’s Cash for Clunkers rebate-matching program succeeded: Sales of all of the automaker’s four-cylinder volume models, aside from the Sebring, increased substantially. The Jeep Compass and Patriot increased 95 percent (to 2,736) and 134 percent (to 8,084), respectively, which helped push the brand to a mere 2 percent drop off compared to last year’s numbers.
Mazda’s Mazda6 saw a 1.9 percent increase (to 2,517), while the Mazda5 continued to surprise by increasing a hefty 45.5 percent (to 1,944).
Honda’s Civic and CR-V both saw increases over last year’s figures – 3.1 percent (to 30,037) and 9.9 percent (to 19,151), respectively.
Continuing its strong numbers so far this year, Subaru saw sales increase 34.2 percent (to 21,839), which pushed year-to-date sales up 4.3 percent overall. Subaru is on track to be the only automaker to post improved annual sales over 2008.
Ford division saw a 2.9 percent increase overall, driven mostly by Fusion (up 66 percent to 17,610) and Focus (up 43.6 percent to 21,830). Numerous Ford dealers reported that their Focus inventories, in particular, were essentially depleted. On the truck side, Escape sales were up 94.2 percent (to 20,241), Flex sales were up 64.7 percent (to 3,631) and Ranger sales were up 64.5 percent (to 7,695).
Mercury also saw a 6.6 percent increase in sales thanks to hefty demand for the Milan (up 59.8 percent to 2,934), Mariner (up 70.5 percent to 3,682) and even the Grand Marquis (up 3.8 percent to 2,667).
Volvo sales were up 25.7 percent thanks to a 257.2 percent increase in demand (to 1,461) for the S60, which was heavily marketed to clear out old inventories.
The bad
Despite gains in efficient car sales, Mini saw a 3.8 percent (to 4,872) drop off during July.
General Motors saw sales slide overall, with no division reporting positive numbers. Most troubling, perhaps, is the 53.6 percent slide in Cadillac sales. Though not the biggest drop off under the GM umbrella (just 574 Saabs found new buyers, a 71.7 percent decline in demand), it represents a lot of volume for one of the four brands GM intends to keep around.
Dodge saw increases in demand for its Caliber and Avenger models, as well as the Journey and Caravan, though sales were off 8 percent versus last year’s numbers.
Chrysler division’s sales slumped 21 percent, even though the PT Cruiser saw a 4 percent increase in demand.
Despite some strength, Mazda sales were down 15.1 percent overall (to 19,032).
Overall Honda division sales were down 15.8 percent (to 106,028).
Mercedes-Benz saw decreases across the board with the exception of the E-Class. Helped by the all-new model, E-Class sales rose 12.5 percent (to 5,556). R-Class sales trickled to just 36 units, a 95.2 percent decrease from July 2007.
Not helped by the Cash for Clunkers program due to its fairly high line-wide consumption, Lincoln was Ford’s sore spot. Sales were down 24.3 percent despite a 95.2 percent increase in Town Car sales (to 1,841).
The ugly
Acura, down 32.5 percent to 8,662.
Audi, down 5.8 percent to 6,407.
Chrysler, down 21 percent to 16,549.
BMW, down 31.5 percent to 16,381.
Buick, down 29.1 percent to 7,099.
Cadillac, down 52.6 percent to 6,171.
Chevrolet, down 9.3 percent to 124,948
Dodge, down 8 percent to 50,075.
Ford, up 2.9 percent to 142,135.
GMC, down 20.4 percent to 21,860.
Hummer, down 57.4 percent to 799.
Honda, down 15.8 percent to 106,028.
Hyundai, up 12 percent to 45,553.
Jeep, down 2 percent to 22,276.
Lexus, down 16.5 percent to 18,517.
Lincoln, down 24.3 percent to 6,672.
Maserati, down 49.5 percent to 98.
Mazda, down 15.1 percent to 15,032.
Mercury, up 6.6 percent to 10,031.
Mercedes-Benz, down 21.7 percent to 16,228.
Mini, down 3.8 percent to 4,872.
Pontiac, down 13.2 percent to 22,024.
Saab, down 71.7 percent to 574.
Saturn, down 66.1 percent to 5,968.
Subaru, up 34.2 percent to 21,839.
Toyota, down 10.8 percent to 156,355.
Volkswagen, up 0.7 percent to 20,590.
Volvo, up 25.7 percent to 6,441.
08/03, 11:52 AM
posted by:
aggie531
Some of these sales figures are interesting.
Ranger and Grand M suprised me the most
257.2% increase in the S60!? thats madness
08/03, 12:05 PM
posted by:
JakeK66
I looked at the S60 on Friday and you know what? It’s pretty much the same as it was in 2001 and that’s nto a good thing. Besides the S80/V70, I’m not a fan of any current Volvos.
08/03, 12:11 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
That’s great. They sell more Grand Marquis’ and Town Cars combined than the Flex and probably make twice the profit per vehicle. Further proof that dinosaurs still rule the Earth.
08/03, 12:22 PM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
Ford beats Honda again! 5 touchdowns for me!
5551 …………. 28
Mayer Ray …. 35
Chicks don’t call me the cumback king for nothing!
08/03, 12:51 PM
posted by:
triplefiveone
Mr. Mayor, Ford just posted its meager sales for July. With the money that Ford made, you could buy a hot dog and beer at the ball park. The reason Honda has not posted its sales yet is because it takes a week to count up all that money!
5551………………42
The Mayer………35
08/03, 12:53 PM
posted by:
triplefiveone
And, it takes a week to minus out the lawsuits from that money for the airbag detinations.
5551………………..28
Mayer………………35
08/03, 12:58 PM
posted by:
Audi RS5
Missed getting the results for Audi sales but I know compared to most other manufacturers, we’re not getting hit nearly as hard. Our last quote I read we took a realative small loss on the US market even though it was our biggest hit.
08/03, 12:58 PM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
Honda will be down more than 20%.
5551 ……………… 28
Mayer ……………..42
08/03, 1:08 PM
posted by:
Blakkarr
Johnnycanuck @ 08/03, 12:11p
I’m not sure if you and being flippant about it. Not that it is an altogether bad thing, at least FORD sold more units period. But the thing that got Detroit in trouble to begin with is latching onto short term success as if it were going to last forever.
I would like to see FORD but the kind of work they lavish on the F-150 or the Expedition on the old Panther. The Expedition ended up with IRS and some of the most definitive user content in the segment. The NISSAN Armada is a bold face copy of the Expedition, though with some differences that may lend itself to more adventuresome usage than the more family and luxury oriented Expedition.
All said, the “dinosaurs” still do not have long left for this world.
08/03, 1:25 PM
posted by:
Bubs Solo
Chrysler is down only 9%!!! Maybe that old dog will live a little longer.
08/03, 1:52 PM
posted by:
DenverGuy217
speaking of old dogs…kinda funny that of all the Lincoln nameplates, only the TownCar showed an increase…and of all the Chrysler nameplates only the PT Cruiser showed one as well. So much for demand on their newer entries….
08/03, 1:57 PM
posted by:
DenverGuy217
And every Acura model and the Mazda3 continue to post losses. Fugly doesn’t sell. Will they ever learn…
08/03, 2:06 PM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
I think crApura’s rancid fugliness counts as a field goal for me.
5551 ……….. 28
Mayer ………. 45
08/03, 2:47 PM
posted by:
JakeK66
Subaru posting better sales numbers than VW is a scarey thought,,,
Pontiac wasn’t down as much as they probably should have been, considering they are being CANCELLED. Maybe that should send some sort of sign to GM’s management about Pontiac selling TRIPLE the amount of cars than Buick? Dealer’s can’t and won’t make it with only the Buick and GMC lines.
Jeep’s another happy suprise, still doing well all things considered.
Ford is well, living it up not taking the government’s money. People know this and it shows that they spend money for companies they think are in a better place. I’ve been down on the Mustang versus the Camaro, but I’d actually go and buy a Mustang right now simply because it’s a Ford. That’s something I thought I would never say.
08/03, 2:53 PM
posted by:
JakeK66
R-Class sales trickled to just 36 units – Wow. They might as well kill it. I’d actually look at a used one if I needed a family car, they are going for super cheap right now and personally I like their looks – better than the GLK and GL at least.
08/03, 3:09 PM
posted by:
jayjc08
Good to hear that from Ford and Subie.
Did Suzuki not make the chart?
08/03, 3:28 PM
posted by:
leftwingagenda
now just imagine if Ford had the Fiesta out right now…
08/03, 3:46 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Just imagine if the Focus was a full range of models again and an actual improvement over the previous generation.
08/03, 3:48 PM
posted by:
dc8stretch
WTF? The 18-year-old Grand Marquis outsold the Pontiac G8? If I were Alan Mullaly I’d put a bench seat in ever car Ford makes.
08/03, 5:20 PM
posted by:
zfenderguy
Didn’t see Nissan or Infiniti on the chart yet either. Updates to follow I’m sure…
08/03, 8:04 PM
posted by:
Donfuy
Go Volvo, even if with that same old S60. (it’s a good car, even if old). On a sidenote, I don’t really like the new V70/XC70 that much – the old one is quite better, specially the XC version.
I’m quite happy with these gains.
08/03, 8:30 PM
posted by:
DrFill
Your Comment
08/03, 8:34 PM
posted by:
DrFill
Looks like King ‘Yota rulz the month of July with the hottest sales numbers
Prius is off to a brisk sales pace, even with moderate gas prices (Insight, not so much)
Disappointed in Mazda6 sales (2,500)
That’s a nice ride!
Interesting fact of the day:
Camry rulz cardom at 184k sales
If you combined (Or eliminated one) Chevy Malibu and Impala, it would outsell the legendary Camry by 300 units!
Assuming no one woke up and left the Chevy lot
DrFill
08/03, 8:36 PM
posted by:
DrFill
BTW
Prius: 19,173
Insight: 2,295
The party people have spoken!
DrFill
08/03, 9:46 PM
posted by:
Bubs Solo
DrFill your first comment was the best of the three.
08/03, 10:19 PM
posted by:
aggie531
How did HUMMER out sell Saab
08/03, 10:22 PM
posted by:
driestone
I love Subaru, really I do (I have an ‘05 WRX), but they make some of the ugliest cars. My ‘05 is a bit of an ugly duckling, but that’s part of the charm, the current generation doesn’t have much charm (and the new Imprezas look a lot like Kias). I know there are a lot of people who buy Subies for other reasons, and I’m certainly happy they are posting gains, but I just don’t understand why!
08/03, 10:33 PM
posted by:
JakeK66
Maserati sold 98 units? That’s soooo f’ed up. They have 2 of the best models on the road right now and they sold less units than a mid-size Chevy dealer. How can you make it?
08/03, 10:39 PM
posted by:
JakeK66
WHAT??? PEOPLE BOUGHT MORE RANGERS THAN AUDIS/BUICKS/CADILLACS/LINCOLN/MINIS/SATURNS/VOLVOS???????????????????????????
Ford doesn’t spend a PENNY on advertising of the Ranger, just think about all of the ads for the above brands, the developement costs, the dealerships…
No wonder Ford stock is up!!!!
08/03, 10:56 PM
posted by:
triplefiveone
Mayer:
Honda down a paltry, temporary, not even worth reporting 15.8%….which is less than 20%. I win. (snicker snicker)
5551…………………….42
Mayer…………………..42
Now, it’s overtime.
08/04, 1:23 AM
posted by:
02WRXPSM
Can we get a little less noise from posters pretending to be other posters pretending to be other posters? You do know that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result, right?
The AWD Volvo S60 R-design is a badass 4-door sedan, those are worth getting excited about. I think overall Ford’s lineup is really weak (lame new Mustang, domestic (not Euro) Focus, no Festiva yet, same old 150) so the fact that they are doing well is interesting.
08/04, 9:24 AM
posted by:
triplefiveone
02WRXPSM, you have your comments and I have mine. Make you a deal: if you won’t tell me what to say, I’ll not tell you that your example on insanity was really quite silly, off point, and has no bearing whatsoever. If you don’t like what I and another poster, or any poster for that matter, are saying, then just excercise your right to ignore. Now isn’t that easy? I really don’t care what you think.
Mayer, I’ll allow the field goal on the general fugliness of the Crapuras. (the grille, the grille).
08/04, 11:54 AM
posted by:
SoTXFord
Rangers are sucessful despite no advertisement and no real update in years because they are dirt cheap and just keep going and going…who cares if the doors rattle and the gas mileage is terrible, you can get a new one for under 8k.
Full Disclaimer, I own an 06 Ranger… the damn thing is for sale and thanks to new model pricing, I can’t give the damn thing away…
08/04, 2:13 PM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
Again, Ford is being fitted for the crown.
Again, I like Subarus because they’re tough. if you live somewhere like South dakota, and don’t know when you’ll be buying again ….
Why would anybody buy a RAV4 or Highlander?
Nothing can bolster the Sebring. It’s like a Camry/ES without the built in somnambulant customer base.
“Honda’s Civic and CR-V both saw increases over last year’s figures.”
Reading a story on Cash for Clunkers, there was a couple up in orance county, trading about a (c) 20-year-old Suburban that got 13 mpg and had 236,000 miles on the odometer, for a CR-V.
I think these good folks somehow equate Honda with fuel efficiency, and despite the obvious durability of their previous ride, went straight to the Honda dealer on the advice of a “Friend.”
GM has an image problem, clearly. These people should’ve been at least LOOKING at an Equinox.
8,662 people can’t tell the differince between a Honda and a luxury vehicle … or don’t care.
Where’s Kia? That Forte is going to make some rivals nervous.
mayer_ray_nagin: Someone should go for 2. FIRST PRACTICE GAME IN 5 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DenverGuy217: “Fugly doesn’t sell.” i THINK YOU’RE RIGHT.
DrFill: “legendary Camry?” Never have so many paid so much for so little … yep, legendary.
DrFill: “party people” ain’t buying Hybrids.
driestone: “I know there are a lot of people who buy Subies for other reasons, and I’m certainly happy they are posting gains, but I just don’t understand why!”
I imagine they’re mostly sold in the western Midwest and the Rockies.
SoTXFord: “Rangers are sucessful despite no advertisement and no real update in years because they are dirt cheap and just keep going and going…”
Yep.
08/04, 8:06 PM
posted by:
DrFill
JackJim
Spoken like a true non-owner
Someday the light will shine into your basement
We hope
DrFill
08/05, 10:33 AM
posted by:
Bubs Solo
I’m not a GM fan DrFill but check the numbers again GM hosed Toyota…again