Raw Data Report: Foreign Made Automobiles

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Lancer Leads Sales At Mitsubishi

In a recent Tickermine survey of 27 US Mitsubishi dealerships, 40% reported the Lancer as their best-selling vehicle, followed by the Eclipse (30%) and the Galant (12%). Interestingly, none of the dealerships are offering deals on trucks. 63% were, however, offering free satellite radio for a period of time.

Accord Honda's (HMC) Best-Selling Model

Tickermine recently surveyed 21 Honda dealerships across the US. In a switch from our February survey, the Accord was cited as the best selling model by 38% of those polled,up from 25% last month. The Civic, which had the most mentions in February (46%), was named as the best-seller by 24% in our March survey. The CRV received 19% of the mentions. 24% of dealers are currently offering deals on trucks to stimulate demand in the face of high fuel prices, up slightly from 21% in February. Nearly 57% are offering free satellite radio from either Sirius or XM Satellite on some models, up slightly from 54% in February.

Camry Still Sells Best at Toyota (TM) Dealerships, But Less Free Satellite Radio Offered

Both Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda, Japan’s two giant auto makers are raising their global production to meet overseas demand this quarter and a March Tickermine survey gives some clues as to why. Twenty six Toyota dealerships across the US were polled on their best selling cars and trucks, deals and whether free satellite radio was offered. Compared with our February survey, Camry still came in tops with 10 respondents or 38% citing this as their best selling vehicle. Corolla remained second with eight responses or 31%. The Prius and Tundra tied in third place with two mentions or 8% followed by the Rav 4, Highlander, Avalon and 4Runner each mentioned once as the best selling vehicle or, 4%. Most dealerships offered no truck deals this month, a decline from last month. 17 respondents or 65% cited no to this question with nine or 35% citing yes. High fuel prices were cited as one reason for the lack of truck discounts. This month also saw fewer dealerships offering their customers free satellite radio. Last month 52% of dealerships ran offers compared with 38.46% this month. Most dealerships or 61.5% offered none.

Well-Stocked Hybrids Could Signal Flatter Sales of Fuel Efficient Cars

Sales of alternative fuel cars are still buoyant but could be flattening soon, judging by a recent Tickermine survey. Tickermine surveyed managers at 31 car dealerships around the country and found that cars were in stock, as opposed to two years ago when eager consumers were directed to a waiting list. Asked which was the best-selling hybrid car and the Toyota Prius still trumped the other models with 11 respondents or 35%. The Toyota Camry Hybrid was second most popular with three respondents or 9.6%. The Ford (F) Escape and Ford Focus tied in third place with two respondents each or 6.45% and the Toyota Highlander came in last with one respondent or 3.2%. Asked whether the cars were in stock and an overwhelming 29 respondents or 93% answered yes. Only two respondents or 6.45% answered no. One cited the Ford Escape as sold out, the other cited the Prius 2008.

Forenza, Grand Vitara Best Selling Models at Suzuki Dealers

In a recent survey of Suzuki dealerships 33% of respondents reported that the Forenza was the top selling model while another 27% reported that the Grand Vitara was the best selling. The Forenza is Suzuki's compact car offering with relatively good gas mileage while the Vitara competes in the cross-over SUV vehicle market. Despite high gas prices, the majority of dealerships surveyed reported that they were not offering special incentives on SUV, Truck or cross over vehicles. Dealers mentioned that the high gas prices were driving consumers to the Forenza based on its fuel consumption and efficiency. 40% of Suzuki dealers were offering some sort of deal on satellite radio packages. Suzuki dealers offered both XM Satellite (XMSR) as well as Sirius (SIRI) but were heavily skewed in favor of XM in their recommendations.

Comments

[NI123]

What about Nissan?#@><?

[User 171852]

Nissan is coming. As we add coverage to our new data service we have some uneveness in our coverage. Nissan will be in our next report on Foreign autos in May.

Thanks.

Casey Ryan
CEO
TickerMine
[e-mail]

[hattryx]

ze germans?