May auto sales were up and according to Edmunds.com Senior Analyst Michelle Krebs “The big auto sales news of the month is the Japanese recovery story.”
Edmunds.com Chief Economist Lacey Plache commented: “Today’s somewhat dismal jobs report and today’s auto sales numbers, which are coming in lower than expected so far, are causing fear that once more the economy is slowing. Even if sales are lower this month than so far this year, the overall pace is still the highest of the recovery to date. Consumers with jobs are still spending and income is still growing, albeit at a modest pace. For auto sales, consumer willingness to spend is key and, as credit expands again, there is plenty of pent-up demand driving car shoppers back to market.”
On Ford:
Edmunds.com Senior Analyst Michelle Krebs commented: “One thing that really caught my attention about Ford is that the brand’s fleet sales are up to 35 percent. Another interesting sign: Ford bumped up its incentives in May, despite previous insistence on holding out for price. The Fiesta still can’t gain its footing and seems to be losing to the Focus. Ford is doing a tricky dance of selling down two of its very high volume models — the Escape and Fusion — to make way for the new models”
On GM:
Edmunds.com Senior Analyst Michelle Krebs commented: “A little bit of extra money on the hood seemed to help GM in May. Edmunds.com estimates GM’s incentives were up about 5 percent from last May and about 2 percent from April. Every GM brand but Cadillac, which is awaiting the launch of two new models as it sells down some old ones, have posted a year-over-year increase, something not seen in the past couple of months. The Chevrolet Malibu had a big month as GM winds down the old one and ramps up the new one, now available only as the fuel-efficient Eco model with the other versions coming this summer. The Chevrolet Sonic had another good month as did the Equinox.”
On Toyota:
Edmunds.com Senior Analyst Michelle Krebs commented: “Toyota, as expected, posted a stunning year-over-year percentage increase; remember where Toyota was a year ago, however, largely without much product to sell because of the earthquake and tsunami. Ford held the No. 2 sales spot over Toyota, a position that looked to be at risk.”
Below please click on the Automaker to find out more about their May 2012 sales numbers:
Ford Motor Company: Ford Motor Company Posts Gains Across Cars, Utilities, Trucks in May
Chrysler: Chrysler Group LLC Reports Best May Sales in Five Years
General Motors: GM Reports Highest Monthly Sales in 33 Months
Toyota: Toyota Sales Increase Nearly 90 Percent in May 2012; Daily selling rate reaches highest levels since August 2008
Volskwagen: Volkswagen Reports 28% Increase in May Sales
Audi: Audi sets all-time U.S. sales record for the month of May
Hyundai Motor America: Hyundai Motor America Reports Best-Ever May Sales
Kia Motors America: Kia Motors America Sells Four Millionth Vehicle During Record-Setting Month Of May
American Honda: American Honda Reports May Auto Sales
Acura: Total Acura sales of 14,586 units were up 62.1%
Nissan: Nissan North America Sales Increase 20.5% in May
Infiniti: Infiniti reported sales of 10,592 units for May
Porsche: Porsche Reports May Sales
Subaru of America, Inc.: Subaru of America, Inc. Breaks May Sales Record
BMW Group U.S.: BMW Group U.S. Reports May 2012 Sales
Mercedes-Benz: Highest May On Record For Mercedes-Benz With Sales Of 22,515
Mitsubishi Motors North America: Mitsubishi Motors Reports May Sales
Mazda North American Operations: Mazda Sales Up More Than 13%
Jaguar Land Rover North America: Jaguar Land Rover North America sales increase 8% for May