By The Numbers - August 2010

[Bartek S.]

Brand Vol. % August 2010 August 2009 DSR % August 2010 August 2009

Cadillac 83.08 12,689 6,931 90.40 508 267
Buick 65.98 14,294 8,612 72.62 572 331
Jaguar 61.60 1,414 875 68.06 57 34
Porsche 33.16 2,032 1,526 38.48 81 59
Infiniti 21.93 9,428 7,732 26.81 377 297
Acura 19.83 11,534 9,625 24.63 461 370
Jeep 16.63 25,706 22,041 21.29 1,028 848
Audi 13.96 9,182 8,057 18.52 367 310
GMC 12.27 25,986 23,145 16.77 1,039 890
Land Rover 11.33 2,544 2,285 15.79 102 88
Mercedes-Benz 10.02 18,826 17,112 14.42 753 658
Lincoln 9.43 6,428 5,874 13.81 257 226
Dodge 7.56 35,364 32,878 11.86 1,415 1,265
Ram 4.67 20,604 19,684 8.86 824 757
BMW 1.60 19,540 19,232 5.67 782 740
Chrysler -3.66 17,937 18,619 0.19 717 716
Volkswagen -7.93 22,855 24,823 -4.25 914 955
Ford -10.74 144,035 161,369 -7.17 5,761 6,207
Hyundai -11.35 53,603 60,467 -7.81 2,144 2,326
Mini -13.42 4,425 5,111 -9.96 177 197
Lexus -14.97 19,465 22,892 -11.57 779 880
Kia -19.24 32,465 40,198 -16.01 1,299 1,546
Chevrolet -21.52 131,952 168,130 -18.38 5,278 6,467
Mercury -22.47 7,040 9,080 -19.37 282 349
Subaru -22.47 22,239 28,683 -19.36 890 1,103
Mazda -25.63 19,739 26,542 -22.66 790 1,021
Nissan -30.93 67,399 97,580 -28.17 2,696 3,753
Honda -35.98 97,195 151,814 -33.42 3,888 5,839
Toyota -36.24 128,923 202,196 -33.69 5,157 7,777
Mitsubishi -36.99 4,293 6,813 -36.99 172 273
Saab -40.08 290 484 -37.69 12 19
Suzuki -68.18 1,830 5,751 -66.91 73 221
Smart -72.38 448 1,622 -71.27 18 62
(Hummer) -73.62 205 777 -72.56 8 30
(Saturn) -99.49 43 8,479 -99.47 2 326
(Pontiac) -99.98 7 29,921 -99.98 0 1,151
Volvo n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a

Companies
Jaguar Land Rover 25.25 3,958 3,160 30.26 158 122
Chrysler Group 6.85 99,611 93,222 11.13 3,984 3,585
BMW Group -1.55 23,965 24,343 2.39 959 936
General Motors (Core) -10.59 184,921 206,818 -7.01 7,397 7,955
Ford Motor Company -10.67 157,503 176,323 -7.10 6,300 6,782
General Motors -24.87 185,176 246,479 -21.87 7,407 9,480
Nissan North America -27.05 76,827 105,312 -24.13 3,073 4,050
American Honda -32.65 108,729 161,439 -29.96 4,349 6,209 Toyota Mo Co -34.08 148,388 225,088 -31.44 5,936 8,657

 

[Wolfgang]

MBUSA commented on August sales on the Nightly Business Report:





One on One with Ernst Lieb, CEO, Mercedes-Benz USA

SUSIE GHARIB: Mercedes-Benz also saw more buyers in the U.S. last month. Sales rose 15 percent as it continues to see its American business grow. I went today to a Mercedes dealership in Union, New Jersey, to find out what's driving those robust sales. It's an alphabet of success stories. C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, and even the SLS. No matter which Mercedes it is, consumers are driving off with these luxury sedans. Sales of the new E-Class models are up 71 percent so far this year, and for all Mercedes vehicles sold in the U.S., up more than 22 percent. The CEO of Mercedes USA expects business for the German automaker will stay in the fast lane.

ERNST LIEB, CEO, MERCEDES-BENZ USA: I think we're going to be able to keep that pace. We were hoping for a little bit of an increase, but I think we should be -- we're happy if it stays on that level. There is a good chance it will. But we'll have to wait and see what September brings.

GHARIB: Now, Ernst, in this type economy, how is it consumers can buy a new car, let alone a Mercedes?

LIEB: I think a lot of people out there are at the point where they do need a new car. So what they're doing, they're hesitant, but they need it, it has to be done. So they're looking around. They're looking for good value. They're looking for a new product, something which keeps its value. And I think that's why we're on the shopping list for a lot of these new customers we're seeing.

GHARIB: So are those strong sales also because you're offering special financing deals?

LIEB: No, Susie, we don't do that. We don't go down to zero percent. Naturally, in July and August, when you have your model year run out, you offer some sort of an incentive, but nothing like a zero percent.

GHARIB: As you know, economists are predicting very slow growth over the next couple of years. How is that going to impact your sales momentum?

LIEB: When the automotive industry, and particularly the luxury part is tied very close to real estate development, access to credit, we'll see a slowdown if that slows down. We see a pickup if that is picks up. So I think we're going to see exactly the same thing.

GHARIB: When you look at the total number of cars that will be sold in the U.S. this year, analysts are forecasting more than 11 million. Now that is up from last year, but not as high as it was a few years ago. Do you think that the auto industry is beginning to turn the corner?

LIEB: It is turning, but is it turning to the degree we all would like to see it? I would say no, 11.5 million is good, it's obviously better than what we had seen last year. But it is so far away from 16 million. I mean, we still have to adjust our inventories, our production, and watch carefully what this market is going to do.

GHARIB: Well, you heard the news this week that the government wants to label new cars with a letter grade, from "A-plus" to "D" based on fuel efficiency and emissions. What letter grade do you think Mercedes is going to get?

LIEB: Susie, you have to look at the individual models. You take a super sports car like the SLS, for example, it probably will be a "D." Fuel consumption is not that great on that car. There are other attributes on that car, why you buy it. But you take this year, for example, the new E-Class BlueTec Diesel -- 350 BlueTec Diesel, that car was just introduced in August. That is probably an "A-plus." We're talking miles per gallon highway, 33 miles. We're talking a range of nearly 700 miles with one fill-up. So this is something great.

GHARIB: So how do you see Mercedes evolving to compete in this new environment where consumers want fuel-efficient cleaner cars?

LIEB: Our decision is to go a different direction. So we further developed the combustion engines, the way we have it today, less cylinders, less horsepower, higher fuel efficiency. We have hybrid models already today which will be further developed. And then we go the third direction, which is fuel cell, where we believe we have a real solution.

GHARIB: So later this year, you're coming out with a hydrogen fuel cell version of your B-Class model? Looking ahead, what kind of sales do you expect to get out of that?

LIEB: It's going to depend very much on the development costs. If the technology comes to a point where it is affordable, where we believe we can do it, this could be our huge seller for us, not just in the U.S. here, but on a worldwide basis. Because it is the car with zero emissions. It only produces steam.

GHARIB: But can you make money on it?

LIEB: That's why we are putting so much money in it, because we believe eventually we will be able to make money with it. But it is expensive, there is no question about it. But it is the right solution.

GHARIB: We should add one note of disclosure here. Mercedes-Benz is an underwriter of NIGHTLY BUSINESS REPORT.

One on One with Ernst Lieb, CEO, Mercedes-Benz USA | Nightly Business Report | PBS

 

[Merc1]

In the Black: Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz Have Positive Sales in August


Sales were relatively strong for the premium German trio of Audi, Mercedes-Benz and BMW for August 2010. Year-over-year Audi and Mercedes-Benz increased sales by 14 and 15 percent, respectively, while BMW sales increased 1.6 percent.

Audi had its best August ever, with 9182 units sold. Mercedes-Benz sold 19,674 to BMW's 19,540. Without the 848 Sprinters, Mercedes-Benz's total drops to 18,826.

BMW and Audi both saw huge gains from their SUVs. Even the outgoing BMW X3 had sales increase 33.1 percent. The next-generation model goes into production today in South Carolina. The X5 was BMW's third best-selling vehicle, behind the 3 Series and 5 Series. X5 sales increased 21.4 percent while BMW sold 440 X6s. In case you're keeping track, Acura sold 428 of its much less expensive ZDX.

At Audi, the Q5 was nearly as hot as the A4 with 2675 units sold -- a 78.8 percent improvement from last August. The Q7 saw sales of 560, up from 394 last August.

Another consistent performer, albeit on a small scale, has been the A3. Year-to-date, sales are up 74.8 percent, likely due in part to the availability of the TDI diesel model. A5 and A6 sales were each up at least 29 percent year-over-year.

Audi sold 114 R8s compared to 85 last August while 165 TTs left Audi showrooms compared to the 189 last August.

The biggest jumper at Mercedes-Benz was the R-Class. Sales of the not-a-minivan increased 389.7 percent over last August or, in other words, from 39 units last August to 191 this August.

Higher volume Benzes like the C-Class and E-Class sold well. The C-Class was up 43.4 percent last month and the E-Class was up 25.9 percent in August and 70.6 percent year-to-date.

S-Class sales declined to 832, though BMW's 7 Series was up to 1224 units. Nevertheless, S-Class sales are up 19.6 percent through the first eight months of this year.

At BMW, the 1 Series was a surprisingly strong seller. Sales were up 52.5 percent for the month. In fact, the 1 Series has sold more than twice as much as the Audi A3 in August alone and through the end of August.

BMW's most important model, the 3 Series, was down 15.2 percent in August. The 5 Series was also down, by 13.8 percent. Overall, BMW cars were down 3.1 percent and the three SUVs were up 24.4 percent.

Year-to-date, Audi is up 25.1 percent, BMW is up 7.8 percent, and Mercedes-Benz is up 22.2 percent.

Source: Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz

Read more: In the Black: Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz Have Positive Sales in August - Wide Open Throttle - Motor Trend Magazine


M

 

[Wolfgang]

Germany’s August KBA Vehicle Registration by Maker

By Kristian Siedenburg | Bloomberg

Following are the details for Germany’s August vehicle registration by maker from the Federal Motor Vehicle Office in Flensburg:

===============================================================================
Aug. Jan. to Aug.
2010 2010
Total Share YoY Total Share
===============================================================================
Total 200,885 100.0% -27.0% 1,907,104 100.0
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alfa Romeo 802 0.4% -20.5% 5,130 0.3
Audi 15,766 7.8% 4.7% 144,365 7.6
BMW, Mini 14,498 7.2% -21.9% 173,259 9.1
Chevrolet 2,079 1.0% -22.2% 13,944 0.7
Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge 437 0.2% -20.4% 4,299 0.2
Citroen 5,179 2.6% -48.7% 46,563 2.4
Daihatsu 460 0.2% -41.1% 3,439 0.2
Fiat 5,638 2.8% -44.8% 55,865 2.9
===============================================================================
Aug. Jan. to Aug.
2010 2010
Total Share YoY Total Share
===============================================================================
Ford 13,332 6.6% -29.2% 130,944 6.9
Honda 2,317 1.2% -33.2% 21,278 1.1
Hyundai 6,448 3.2% -0.7% 48,380 2.5
Jaguar 305 0.2% 43.9% 2,105 0.1
Kia 3,318 1.7% -28.0% 23,805 1.2
Lada 158 0.1% -61.7% 1,453 0.1
Lancia 118 0.1% -50.6% 1,028 0.1
Land Rover 587 0.3% 63.1% 4,418 0.2
Mazda 3,302 1.6% -32.4% 31,005 1.6
Mercedes 15,660 7.8% -3.1% 176,621 9.3
Mitsubishi 2,269 1.1% 30.9% 14,637 0.8
Nissan, Infiniti 4,345 2.2% -30.0% 40,218 2.1
Opel 15,660 7.8% -27.3% 147,024 7.7
Peugeot 5,413 2.7% -51.2% 58,082 3.0
Porsche 811 0.4% 64.2% 10,543 0.6
Renault, Dacia 12,040 6.0% -34.6% 102,836 5.4
===============================================================================
Aug. Jan. to Aug.
2010 2010
Total Share YoY Total Share
===============================================================================
Seat 4,104 2.0% -21.5% 33,435 1.8
Skoda 10,182 5.1% -23.5% 85,405 4.5
Smart 2,021 1.0% -15.7% 18,932 1.0
Subaru 625 0.3% 13.2% 4,304 0.2
Suzuki 2,414 1.2% -59.0% 20,921 1.1
Toyota, Lexus 6,540 3.3% -34.5% 48,477 2.5
Volvo 909 0.5% -22.6% 15,444 0.8
VW 42,702 21.3% -31.3% 414,516 21.7
Other 446 0.2% 0.0% 4,429 0.2
===============================================================================
SOURCE: KBA - Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (German Federal Motor Vehicles Office)

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-...kba-vehicle-registration-by-maker-table-.html

 

[Wolfgang]

latest numbers hot off the press.

Mercedes-Benz increases sales worldwide by 22 percent in August, posting double-digit growth for the tenth month in a row

by Philipp Deppe | Mercedes-Benz Passion Blog

Sales of Mercedes-Benz vehicles continue to increase. In August, the brand posted double-digit growth for the tenth month in a row. Sales were up by 22 percent, and deliveries to customers around the world amounted to 81,000 units last month (August 2009: 66,200). Since the beginning of the year, Mercedes-Benz has now sold 735,400 passenger cars, an increase of 16 percent from the figure recorded during the same period in 2009.

“The growth recorded by Mercedes-Benz in August marks a continuation of the current positive trend,” says Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Cars. “We boosted sales in nearly all the regions we operate in and also posted strong growth in August in Germany, which is our biggest sales market. We expect sales to continue to develop favorably in the coming months as well. Worldwide, we want sales at Mercedes-Benz to grow at a double-digit rate in full-year 2010.” The brand’s growth continues to be driven primarily by the E-Class and S-Class, as well as by sales increases in China and the U.S. “We will be presenting a further highlight of our product range at the Paris Motor Show, where we will present the all-new generation of our styling icon, the CLS. The car will set new standards, thanks to its fascinating design, comprehensive range of safety features, and the new, fuel-efficient V6 and V8 BlueDIRECT gasoline engines.”

Mercedes-Benz recorded sales growth in its three main markets of Germany, the U.S., and China in August. Developments were particularly pleasing in the brand’s largest market, Germany. Here Mercedes-Benz bucked the overall downward trend (minus 27 percent) with a significant increase in sales of 17 percent, leading to total deliveries of 15,800 passenger vehicles to customers last month (August 2009: 13,500). The E-Class, the E-Class coupe, the C-Class, and the smart fortwo all had the largest number of new vehicle registrations in their respective segments in Germany.

The United States remains the second biggest market for Mercedes-Benz, and thus a key contributor to the brand’s sales success. Sales in the U.S. rose ten percent last month, leading to customer deliveries of 18,800 units (August 2009: 17,100). Year-to-date unit sales for Mercedes-Benz in the U.S. now total 139,900 vehicles, up 18 percent compared with the same period last year (118,400). This result makes Mercedes-Benz the best-selling German premium brand in the country since the beginning of the year. Mercedes-Benz posted record sales of 2,100 vehicles in Canada, an increase of five percent compared to August 2009.

Mercedes-Benz also continues to perform well in the BRIC markets. The brand more than doubled its sales in China (incl. Hong Kong), achieving a 113 percent increase to 13,400 passenger vehicles (August 2009: 6,300). Sales growth in Brazil totaled 48 percent, while the brand increased its sales in Russia by 63 percent and in India by 91 percent. An extremely dynamic increase was recorded in the South Korean growth market, where Mercedes-Benz boosted sales by 188 percent to 1,600 vehicles. Sales in Japan were up 12 percent. A total of 23,000 customers purchased a car with the star throughout the entire Asia/Pacific region in August (up 73 percent).

Mercedes-Benz’ unit sales in the entire region of Western Europe increased eight percent to 29,000 vehicles last month (August 2009: 26,900). Significant increases in the region were recorded by the UK (up 37 percent), the Netherlands (up 46 percent), Sweden (up 45 percent), and Denmark (up 96 percent).

The E-Class and S-Class model series were the engines of growth once again in August, with sales of the E-Class sedan and estate increasing by 38 percent. While sales of the E-Class sedan rose by 25 percent to 15,700 units, sales of the estate almost quadrupled in August compared to the same month last year (up 286 percent). A total of 5,100 customers bought an S-Class sedan (August 2009: 3,600), representing an increase of 41 percent.

The C-Class also recorded sales growth in August, with 18,900 C-Class sedans delivered to customers (up 21 percent). A total of 4,400 estates from the current C-Class model series were also delivered in August (up 27 percent). The SUV segment also posted growth, with sales totaling 14,500 units (up 13 percent). The GLK recorded deliveries of 6,200 units, an increase of 35 percent on the figure for August 2009.

The A-Class and B-Class also performed well in August, with deliveries increasing by 18 percent to 12,100 units.

A total of 5,800 smart fortwo were sold last month (August 2009: 7,000) representing a decrease of 18 percent. However, the company expects demand for the innovative two-seater to pick up again, when the new generation of the smart fortwo will be launched on the market on October 2nd.

Mercedes-Benz increases sales worldwide by 22 percent in August, posting double-digit growth for the tenth month in a row | Mercedes-Benz Passion eBlog