August 2010 Auto Sales Weak Vs. August 2009 "Cash For Clunkers"

General Motors August sales for Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac was 184,921, down 11 percent compared to last August, a month in which the automotive industry experienced the highest level of sales in 2009 due to the Cash for Clunkers stimulus program. Year-to-date General Motors four core brands have accounted for sales of 1,453,930, a 23.4 percent rise over 2009.

Ford, Lincoln and Mercury dealers delivered 157,503 new vehicles in August, down 11 percent versus a year ago during the “Cash for Clunkers” sales program. Year-to-date, Ford sales total 1,278,340, up 18.3 percent.

Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. reported August sales of 148,388, down 31.4 percent compared to the same period last year. Year-to-date Toyota has sold1,164,154 vehicles virtually unchanged from last year's total of 1,170,409.

American Honda posted August sales of 108,729 vehicles, a 30 percent decrease from 2009. American Honda year-to-date sales reached 815,075, an increase of 1.5 percent versus last year.

Chrysler Group LLC reported U.S. sales of 99,611, a 7 percent increase compared with sales in August 2009. Year-to-date Chrysler has sold 720,140, a gain of 10 percent over 2009.

Nissan North America reported August U.S. sales of 76,827, a decrease of 27 percent compared with the "Cash for Clunkers" fuelled sales in August 2009. For all of 2010, NNA sales are up 14.2 percent.

Hyundai Motor America August sales of 53,603 was down 11 percent compared with the all-time sales record set in August 2009, when the successful "Cash for Clunkers" program was in place.  Still, August marked the third best volume month in company history. For the year, Hyundai reported sales of 363,491, up 17 percent versus the same period in 2009, and remains on track to establish an all-time sales record for the full year.

Kia Motors America reported August sales of 32,465, down 19.2 percent from August 2009 with year-to-date sales of 237,953 up 9.7 percent from 2009.  The 2011 Sorento CUV was the brand's best-selling vehicle for the eighth consecutive month.

Volkswagen of America reported that August sales were 22,855, a 7.9 percent drop from August 2009 and year-to-date sales of 172,747, up 21.3 percent. Separately, Audi sold 9,182 luxury cars and SUVs in August 2010, topping the previous August record of 8,057 vehicles sold in August 2009 by 14 percent. Year-to-date Audi sales are 65,439, up 25.1 percent from 2009.

The BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) reported August sales of 23,965 vehicles, a decrease of 1.6 percent from last year. Year-to-date, the BMW Group reported a sales volume of 168,940
vehicles, up 5.6 percent from last year.

Subaru of America reported August sales of 22,239, down 22 percent from Subaru's best August ever.  Year-to-date sales total 172,182, a 20 percent increase.

Daimler reported U.S. sales of 20,122 Mercedes-Benz and smart vehicles, an improvement of 7.4 percent compared to August 2009. Mercedes-Benz USA reported August sales of 18,826 passenger cars, light truck vehicles and 848 Sprinter vans. MBUSA has sold 139,867 passenger cars and light truck vehicles in 2010, an 18.1 percent increase over 2009.

Mazda North American Operations reported August sales of 19,739, a decrease of 25.6 percent compared to last August. Year-to-date sales through August 2010 stand at 156,190, and are outpacing last year’s sales by 7 percent.

Mitsubishi Motors North America August sales of 4,293, was 37 percent lower compared to last August.

Porsche Cars North America August sales in the U.S. was 2,032, up 33 percent. So far in 2010, Porsche's overall year-to-date sales are 15,719, an increase of 23 percent.

American Suzuki sold 1,830 vehicles in August, a drop of 68 percent from 2009 and year-to-date sales are 15,331, a decline of 52 percent from last year through August.

Sales will be added as manufacturers report.