November Auto Sales Hit Rate Unseen Since January 2008
As AutoFinanceNews.net reported yesterday, November was a strong month for retail sales. Auto sales rose 15% to 1.14 million last month, keeping the industry on track for ending 2012 on a high note. At 15.56 million, the seasonally adjusted annual rate was the highest since 15.59 million units recorded in January 2008.
Chrysler and Hyundai were the first automakers to report monthly sales, with increases of 14% and 8% respectively, but BMW, American Honda, and Volkswagen Group led the pack.
Up 39%, American Honda set a November sales record with 116,580 total units. Its Honda division leapt 41% to 104,334 units, while Acura moved 12,246 vehicles, a 24% increase.
BMW Group saw a 39% increase in November to 36,493 units, the automaker’s best monthly sales ever. Sales at Volkswagen accelerated 29%, giving the manufacturer its 15th straight month with a gain of 22% or higher. Toyota sales rose 17% to 76,993 units, with the brand’s Corolla, seen below, setting a monthly record, selling 22,616 units. 
Ford Motor Co. increased 6% to 177,092 from 166,441 in November 2011, while General Motors Co. was up 3% to 186,505 units from 180,402 a year ago.
While the major players saw sales boosts last month, just two manufacturers lost volume: Jaguar Land Rover declined 7%, while Mitsubishi dropped 4%, the 11th consecutive month it lost volume.
Pushed in part by strong consumer response to 0% financing options for up to 72 months through Ally Financial, departing brand American Suzuki Motor Corp. reported a 22% increase in November.
