After the strong finish to 2011, auto industry insiders were looking ahead to 2012 with great expectations. All were predicting a year of higher sales -- for their own companies, naturally, but also for the industry overall. Most estimates were that sales could grow from 12.8 million units in 2011 to well into the 13 million-unit range in 2012. The January figures are now in, and in the first month of the new year, we're actually on a pace to top the 14 million mark. Sales were up by 11% over January 2011 and yet incentive spending has pretty much held steady. Another few months like this and analysts will have to revise their estimates upward.
JANUARY 2012 SALES RESULTS, AND PERCENT CHANGE VERSUS JANUARY 2011.
GENERAL MOTORS -6%
In a rising market, General Motors sales declined compared to last January, but the company's year-ago totals were inflated by pull-ahead lease deals. All four GM brands declined, even with more fleet sales in the mix. The bright spot was Chevrolet car sales, led by small cars like the Cruze and the Sonic (which is selling as twice the rate of the Aveo). Most worrisome was the decline at Cadillac.Chevrolet -1%
Aside from the aforementioned Sonic and Cruze, Chevy's midsize cars did pretty well in January (the fleet favorite Impala even snuck into the top ten), but trucks dropped a bit. Most serious were the Traverse (-23%) and the Tahoe (-24%) although the latter was somewhat offset by the Suburban (+25%).
Aside from the aforementioned Sonic and Cruze, Chevy's midsize cars did pretty well in January (the fleet favorite Impala even snuck into the top ten), but trucks dropped a bit. Most serious were the Traverse (-23%) and the Tahoe (-24%) although the latter was somewhat offset by the Suburban (+25%).
GMC -10%
Usually GMC's and Chevrolet's sister models move in sync, but the GMC version of the Suburban, the Yukon XL (-30%) diverged from the Chevy this month; similarly, while the Equinox was up, the Terrain (-11%) declined. Compact pickups, however, perked up for both brands but more so for GMC (Canyon, +53%).
Usually GMC's and Chevrolet's sister models move in sync, but the GMC version of the Suburban, the Yukon XL (-30%) diverged from the Chevy this month; similarly, while the Equinox was up, the Terrain (-11%) declined. Compact pickups, however, perked up for both brands but more so for GMC (Canyon, +53%).
Buick -23%
A decline in Regal sales (-21%) is not good news, and neither is the slipping Enclave (-28%). The LaCrosse is holding its own (+6%) and the Verano (795 sales) is not yet a factor.
A decline in Regal sales (-21%) is not good news, and neither is the slipping Enclave (-28%). The LaCrosse is holding its own (+6%) and the Verano (795 sales) is not yet a factor.
Cadillac -29%
Cadillac's across-the-board declines hit the CTS (-31%) and the Escalades (-28%); only the SRX (-2%) was relatively unscathed.
Cadillac's across-the-board declines hit the CTS (-31%) and the Escalades (-28%); only the SRX (-2%) was relatively unscathed.
