September car sales: Small is in, large is out
Small and midsize cars are flying off dealer lots, while big cars and SUVs languish.
By Claire_Martin Oct 17, 2012 6:11AM
A whopping 14.87 million new cars have flown off dealer lots through September, a figure that has exceeded expectations, represents an increase of 2 million over 2011 and has helped contribute to an overall boost in consumer spending in the U.S. According to The Associated Press, retail spending was higher in August and September than at any time in the past two years, and cars were a key part of the equation.
Which cars, specifically? Small and midsize cars are winning the popularity contest so far this year, both categories having seen a 20-plus-percent increase in sales.
Chrysler is on a 30-month hot streak, with sales climbing steadily. Fiat helped contribute to the automaker's 12 percent jump in September; the Italian brand enjoyed all-time record sales and a 51 percent surge over last year, making the Fiat 500 and 500 Cabrio big winners in 2012. The Dodge Dart is experiencing a popularity burst as well, with a sales increase of 72 percent in September over the previous month.
Toyota has routinely notched double-digit sales improvements this year -- August and September saw 40-plus-percent bumps. Earlier this year, the Prius was the third-most-popular car in the U.S., energized by the addition of the Prius c, Prius V and Prius plug-in. The Corolla has also continued to perform well, with a nearly 43 percent gain in September over 2011.
Two other winning automakers in 2012 have been Honda and Hyundai. The Honda Ridgeline, Accord and Civic all more than doubled their sales numbers this September, while Hyundai sales were up 15 percent.
The losers are the large-car and large-SUV categories, both of which plummeted this year thanks to rising gasoline prices; large cars having tanked by an astounding 88 percent through September versus last year. Ford and Nissan saw dips in September, and Mazda is having a dismal year, with sales of the CX-9 declining every month in 2012. The Mazda 6, which ended U.S. production in August and won't see a redesign until early next year, laid claim to the title of second-worst-selling vehicle in September.
It was bested only by the Porsche Cayman, which sold a paltry 15 units.
76Comments
Oct 23, 2012 8:07AM
Instead of shelling out another $20,000 for a new small car, most folks would be better served to spend about $2,000 to $3,000 on their existing car regardless of its size or age. Buy a set of new tires, a set of front and rear brake pads and or shoes, buy a new battery and at a place where they install it free, new winshield wipers where they install them free like Advance Auto or Autozone. A tune up is "passe" , anybody who says your car needs a tune up is "con artist". Cars no longer have "points". All cars have electronic ignitions. Avoid having any work done at New Car dealers because they charge so much for parts.and labor. How much gasoline could you buy for $20,000. A LOT. If you must have something new buy new floor mats from Weather tech which are form fitted to your model of car, then buy a $6 steering wheel cover. If you have "yellowed" or "opaque" headlight lenses then buy two new ones from Keystone auto parts (look online and you will pay $100 to $150 less than what a car dealer will charge and the lenses from Keystone will be improved versions and come with bulbs already installed. Yes you have to install them but the people at Keystone can tell you what you have to do. Noby buys mufflers or pipes anymore now they exhausts are stainless steel. If you donot like the color of your car go to "Maaco" auto painting and you can get your car painted as cheaply as $200 if you keep the same color. No body work but its pointless to pay for bodywork. Within three weeks you will notice new parking lot dings in the doors of your car or dings on the front or rear "So-called Bumpers". Cars no longer have bumpers on them in case you have not noticed. Only pickup trucks still have bumpers ans semi tractor trailers have bumpers and dump trucks have bumpers. Cars have only a cheap piece of plastic, that cracks and scratches more easily than your eyeglassess. If you really want to save your money buy only synthetic oil from "AMSOIL" online and use it exclusively and you will not need to change oil for one year. Of course you need to check the level occassionally. Buy several gallons of washer fluid and "Invisible Glass in the "purple spray bottle" and spray it on the front and rear windshields. It makes water bead off and in light rain you may not even need to turn the wipers on. All buying a new car will do for you is give you "ENDLESS monthly payments" and less money to save for other things like retirement. For the cost of one or two monthly payments a person can do a whole lot to their existing car. Think of what $600 or $800 can buy for your present car?
Oct 23, 2012 8:07AM
The sad thing is that these little tin cans often don't get significantly better gas mileage than some larger vehicles. Manufacturers these days gloat over 30 mpg. My parents have a 1991 Olds 98, a big car, that gets 30 mpg on the highway. I have a 1996 Civic that gets 40 mpg on the highway. Also, some people actually do need big trucks for hauling or towing, and many older drivers have difficulty getting in and out of tiny cars, as do big and tall people. These tiny cars do have their advantages; you won't have to buy a coffin when you are crushed by a semi truck and once crushed, the car will fit easily into a standard grave hole.
Oct 23, 2012 8:06AM
Notice a pattern here? Back in the 70s when everyone was driving a huge car, gas became scarce, so everyone ran out and bought a small gas sipper. Once the small car buying was accomplished by the joint efforts of the oil companies and the car manufacturers, then gas became available once again and the long gas lines disappeared. People ran out and bought SUV's, vans and large pickup trucks. Once those sales were accomplished and the car sales market was saturated, then the prices of gas zoomed. Once again, thru the joint efforts of the gas companies and car manufacturers, people are out in droves buying gas sippers. I think the car manufacturers and oil companies work hand in glove. Now watch this. Once everyone runs out and gets a gas sipper and the market is saturated with small cars, the price of gas will go down and the pattern will start all over again.
Oct 23, 2012 8:43AM
Oct 23, 2012 8:20AM
Oct 23, 2012 8:20AM
Out here in the West, the larger vehicles are still needed for landscaping, farm & ranch use. Small hybrid or electric vehicles just don't stack up; we travel miles & the electric vehicle only travels 100-150 miles per charge! And what are larger families to do when traveling? We had 4 kids & really used our Suburban! Now that I'm a widow I still haul "things" in my minivan including 4 granddaughters with their stuff & friends. My oldest son needs his cab & half Chevy pickup not only for hauling but for the cab height (he is 6'4" tall). And what about law enforcement? They certainly can't haul prisoners in a Prius! And for safety, I certainly would rather be in a larger vehicle in the event of a vehicle accident. The industry needs to continue on improving things including MPG. We still need the larger vehicles!
Oct 23, 2012 9:41AM
I own outright a 2010 Mustang GT and a 1998 Ford F-150 Triton V8. I bought the Mustang brand new cash then purchased the used F-150 a year later and is my everyday driver now. Actually, the Mustang when driving the speed limit right at 65 on the hwy I get 29MPG. The F-150 going at 65MPH with an empty payload I can get 19MPG, around town I average 12 MPG. I maintain both my vehicles myself with some help from my mechanic. I intend to keep both vehicles until hell freezes over.
Oct 23, 2012 9:05AM
Oct 23, 2012 9:19AM
Oct 23, 2012 9:01AM
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