Automotive analyst Dennis Desrosiers published his sales-by-vehicle breakdown this afternoon for August. As Desrosiers notes, sales of small, fuel-efficient cars — though they are among the top sellers — are all off compared to August of last year. And, as a group, small cars are underperforming the already underperforming automative sales market.
What market segment is doing well? “Well the large/luxury segment is down only 7.0 percent year-to-date in a market that is down by 15.5 per cent,” Desrosiers said. “In August (the large/uxury) segment was up 14.8 per cent for the month while total sales were down by 7.9 percent. I guess those whose gots … gets.! “
Here's the top five lists for August, as compiled by Desrosiers Automotive Research:
Top 5 Cars (pct change in sales compared to last August):
- Honda Civic (-18.5 %)
- Toyota Corolla (-30.0 %)
- Mazda3 (-11.1 %)
- Hyundai Elantra (+235.2 %)
- Hyundai Accent (-6.9 %)
Among the Detroit 3 carmakers, Ford had two in the Top 10. The Ford Focus was number 6 and the Ford Fusion was number 9. General Motors placed one, the Pontiac Vibe, at number 10. Chrysler did not have one in the August top ten and neither Chrylsler nor GM had a vehicle in the top 10 sellers so far this year.
Top 5 Vans, SUVs, and Light Trucks
- Ford F-Series (+7.6 %)
- Chevrolet Silverado (+38.5 %)
- Dodge Caravan (+ 98.1 %)
- GMC Sierra (+38.1 %)
- Ford Escape (+2.8 %)
Toyota's RAV4, Hyundai's Santa Fe and the Honda CR-V hold down the 8,9, and 10 spots on this list.