February Sales: Toyota Share Lowest Since 2005; Hyundai, Nissan Share Highest Ever

Despite Toyota's recall woes and snowy weather covering most of the country, February vehicle sales will be higher this February than last year's dismal lows and also higher than January's numbers, Edmunds.com forecasts. Still, February sales weren't as strong as many had hoped or expected. February sales reports from manufacturers, to be posted Tuesday, also will show who made sales and share gains at Toyota's expense. Toyota's sales will be about even with January and down about 10 percent from a year ago. Its market share likely will fall to 12.6 percent, its lowest level since 2005. In contrast, Hyundai and Nissan will post their highest U.S. market shares ever, Edmunds.com predicts. Ford's share increased, while market share for General Motors and Chrysler dropped. Critics have charged that the U.S. government is picking on Toyota because it owns stakes in GM and Chrysler as a result of last year's bankruptcies. However, Edmunds.com expects market share for both domestic auto companies to drop. Ford, which steered clear of bankruptcy and did not take government funding, will see a boost in sales and market share, Edmunds.com predicts. Ford will handily outsell Toyota again this month as it did in January. Ford is well positioned to surpass Toyota in total sales for the year, something it hasn't done since 2006. Chrysler had another bad month as it awaits a replenishment of its new product pipeline at year's end. Not only did Honda outsell Chrysler again this month as it has of late, but Nissan did as well, according to Edmunds.com's forecast. Chrysler looks to have barely eked out a lead over No. 7 ranked Hyundai in February.