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OCT. SALES HIT RECORDS AT GM, FORD
Those zero-percent financing
deals threw rocket fuel on October’s U.S. auto sales. Most brands reported
strong sales, some even without the benefit of the special financing deals. GM
and Ford experienced record sales for trucks and passenger cars, respectively.
Some of the highlights of October’s sales included the following:
· General Motors: an overall increase of 31 percent, with a 47-percent rise in truck sales and 15-percent more car sales
· Ford: sales rose 36 percent, with cars up 40.5 percent and trucks up 34 percent. The F-150 and Focus set monthly records, while the Explorer set a record for October.
· Chrysler: as a group, sales rose 5 percent. Car sales were down 1.5 percent, while trucks rose 7.2 percent. The Liberty and PT Cruiser set monthly records.
· Toyota, up 27.5 percent
· Subaru: up 12.4 percent, with the Impreza up 116 percent.
· Hyundai: up 85 percent
· Kia, up 79 percent
· Nissan: up seven percent, with Altima up 40 percent
· Mitsubishi, up 17.6 percent, its best October ever
· Volkswagen, up 10.7 percent, with the Passat up 34.3 percent
· Mercedes-Benz dropped 0.3 percent, though the C-Class jumped 56.6 percent
A few brands did drop, including Volvo and BMW, with single-percent drops in sales.
Sept. Sales Slump, Recover by Joseph Szczesny (10/8/2001)
TOP 20 SELLERS
The
following are the top 20 selling vehicles in the U.S. in October, as reported by
Reuters:
1 Ford F-Series 753,280
2 Chevrolet Silverado 591,224
3 Honda Accord 355,333
4 Ford Explorer 348,095
5 Toyota Camry 328,169
6 Ford Taurus 308,512
7 Honda Civic 287,758
8 Dodge Ram 287,344
9 Ford Ranger 239,768
10 Ford Focus 234,054
11 Toyota Corolla 209,361
12 Dodge Caravan 204,952
13 Chevrolet Cavalier 204,822
14 Jeep Grand Cherokee 182,530
15 Chevrolet Impala 178,260
16 GMC Sierra 172,329
17 Chevrolet Tahoe 167,980
18 Pontiac Grand Am 164,282
19 Chevrolet Malibu 159,172
20 Ford Windstar 151,692
NHSTA WANTS CHILD-RESTRAINT
RATING
Your next vehicle could come with a child-restraint safety rating,
if the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) goes ahead with a
rating system it’s opened for public comment. The agency, indirectly headed by
Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta, says the goal is to better inform
consumers ready to purchase a new vehicle that’s safe for children: "We want to
help consumers make informed decisions when purchasing child safety seats and
make sure that children are well-protected when riding in motor vehicles," said
Mineta. The ratings — which will likely include information on crash safety and
ease of use of child-safety equipment — are due to be available by this time
next year.
TCC Tip: Schooltime Safety by Carol Traeger (8/13/2001)
FORD KEEPS ZERO PERCENT UNTIL NOV.
20
Following similar
announcements by General Motors and DaimlerChrysler, Ford is continuing the
zero-percent financing deals that have shored up its sales since the Sept. 11
terrorist attacks. Ford’s program, like Chrysler’s, now has limitations; the
cheap financing isn’t available on the popular Escape sport-ute, for example.
Some industry analysts, and even Ford’s chief spokesman, are questioning the
wisdom of the industry-wide push for sales: "How long can the industry continue
to do this?" Ford communications VP Jason Vines told Reuters. "After a while
you're going to suck all the sales out of 2002." The deals are scheduled to last
at Ford through Nov. 20; at GM through the 18th; and at Chrysler
through the 19th.
Ford Loses $692 Million in
Q3 by Joseph Szczesny
(10/22/2001)
CHRYSLER STICKS WITH ZERO
PERCENT
Besting General
Motors by a day, the Chrysler Group says it will continue its zero-percent
financing on 2002 models to Nov. 19th. The deals, announced in late
September after similar deals came from GM and Ford, are not available on some
of the company’s newest models, such as the Jeep Liberty, Chrysler PT Cruiser
and all the company’s minivans. "With the addition of zero-percent APR
financing, traffic as well as sales improved significantly and we look forward
to continuing this momentum," said Jim Schroer, Executive Vice President -
Global Sales and Marketing, in a statement.
SUZUKI REUPS ON ZERO PERCENT,
TOO
Count Suzuki in with
the zero-percent deals – until the end of the year. As it continues its
zero-percent deals for 2001 models through the end of the year, it’s also adding
its 2002 models to the mix, including the brand-new seven-passenger XL-7. Like
the similar deals from Ford and Chrysler, the interest rate does creep up on
loans with a longer term than 36 months. "These finance programs have placed us
in a very competitive position," said American Suzuki president, Rick
Suzuki.
GMC TO MARKET ENVOY-BASED
“SUT”
General Motors plans to
launch a new sport-utility truck for its GMC lineup that will help further
differentiate the trucks-only brand from its sibling Chevrolet division.
Based on the same platform as the GMC Envoy, the pickup/SUV crossover will
borrow the folding midgate now used by the Chevy Avalanche and Cadillac
EXT. The unnamed vehicle, due to market in roughly two years, was one of
three new models disclosed by GM North America President Ron Zarrella during an
appearance at the Specialty Equipment Marketer’s Association (SEMA) convention
in Las Vegas. GM also plans to launch a crossover vehicle to replace an existing
Chevy truck, Zarrella hinted. And a hatchback-like version of the
Chevrolet Malibu is also in the works. Meanwhile, Zarrella confirmed
Cadillac will launch an all-new line of high-performance models aimed at
competing with the likes of BMW’s M-Series, a plan first published by Daily
Edition two months ago. A performance CTS will come first, and eventually,
most Caddys will offer high-power versions.
GM Utes: Defining A
Niche by TCC Team
(2/3/2001)
NEW GM V-6 ON THE
WAY
On the powertrain side, GM
confirmed it will shortly introduce two all-new V-6 engine families, including
one that will provide the power for the performance CTS. The mainstream
overhead-valve engine will be capable of Displacement-on-Demand, a feature
allowing a bank of cylinders to shut up when power demand is low, significantly
improving fuel economy. The second line will be a performance DOHC family
replacing the current engine line now used in the CTS.
MITSU STICKS WITH ZERO-PERCENT
CROWD
Like GM, Ford and DaimlerChrysler, Mitsubishi says it will extend
its zero-percent financing deals through the end of November. The Mitsu plan is
unique in that it gives buyers a choice of zero-percent financing on any of its
vehicles, or no money down and no payments until 2003. MMSA President and Chief
Operating Officer Pierre Gagnon said in a statement, "It's an important
incentive during this period of uncertainty…at the same time, it's a sign of our
absolute confidence in the future of the American economy."
Chrysler, Mitsu Move Closer by Joseph Szczesny (9/10/2001)
FORD RECALLS CARS FOR
WIPERS
One million Ford vehicles will be recalled to repair a problem in
the windshield-wiper motor, the company announced on Wednesday. The National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that a switch inside the
wiper motor could overheat, causing a malfunction and potentially, the loss of
wiper function. The 1.08 million vehicles involved in the recall include some
2000-2001 Ford Tauruses, Expeditions, Focuses, Excursions, and full-size trucks;
Lincoln Continentals, Town Cars and Navigators; and some Mercury Sables.
GM SAYS YOUNG PEOPLE ARE ASSET
The company that builds more hearses than any other
car company says that the next generation of young aftermarket buyers is its
biggest asset. John Smith, VP of GM’s Service Parts Operations, told audiences
at the Las Vegas Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show, that GM has
a three-pronged strategy to win over those budding hot rodders: working with
parts manufacturers to license accessories and equipment, build crossover
vehicles like the upcoming Pontiac Vibe that appeal to younger buyers, and
selling those young buyers GM-made performance parts. “These customers are
sparking the development of new and innovative products that are easier to
purchase, operate and maintain in the aftermarket business," he said.
Preview: GM's '02 Concepts by TCC Team
(8/20/2001)
2002 QX4 PRICED AT $34,150
Nissan’s luxury Infiniti brand has announced
pricing for the 2002 QX4 sport-utility vehicle. The all-wheel drive model’s
Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) is unchanged at $35,550, while the
rear-drive truck has an MSRP of $34,150. The 2002 vehicle has a new audio system
with RDS capability, a new steering wheel with wood inserts, and laser-aided
cruise control.
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