MENU
SEARCH
A domestic-brand sales surge led by pickups pushed AutoNation’s November sales up 16 percent from November 2009.
AutoNation, the industry’s largest retailer, said it sold 15,511 new vehicles in November, up from 13,395 in November 2009, Automotive News reported. Sales of domestic-brand products rose 25 percent to 4,594. That domestic increase was led by a 35 percent increase in pickup sales.
“We’re talking to these entrepreneurs and small businesses every day, and their pickup trucks are old and tired,” AutoNation CEO Mike Jackson said today on CNBC. “But they think the worst is over, and they have more forward orders than they did before, so they’re coming in.”
The domestic resurgence was augmented in November by a 15 percent increase in sales of import-brand vehicles. AutoNation’s import stores sold 7,944 new vehicles in November. Luxury-brand sales rose 5 percent to 2,973.
Jackson said he’s optimistic about December sales and now expects 2011 industry sales of 12.5 million to 13 million.
“What it says is that sustainable automotive recovery is under way,” he told CNBC.
Even so, there is still “massive postponement of purchase” by consumers, Jackson said, which will make the recovery span several years. AutoNation doesn’t expect industry sales to emerge from recession levels until 2013, when they could hit the 15 million mark again.
Dealers should aim to build a positive work environment, helping employees execute an efficient experience, from their online research to the final delivery of the vehicle.
Read More →
A cloudy April forecast was expected due to last April’s sales surge in anticipation of U.S. trade tariff-inflated prices. Meanwhile, automakers pumped up incentives to address today’s consumer wallet woes.
Read More →
A recent price spike due to several larger market forces, though it hasn’t dulled demand, is pushing more consumers to efficient models to squeeze in buys.
Read More →
A group out West picked up the major D.C.-area collection, putting it in the upper tiers of private automotive groups in the U.S.
Read More →
Lenders loosened access for subprime borrowers, and consumers with negative equity reached a record high, Cox Automotive reported.
Read More →
U.S. consumer interest in electric vehicles lags behind other countries despite the rising gas prices caused by the ongoing war in the Middle East.
Read More →
Research reveals the brands and models most likely to have higher recall rates over their lifetimes. While some brands rank high, addressing safety issues can be a selling point.
Read More →
Cox Automotive data shows Americans doubled down on big-is-better despite price increases. Slightly higher incentives helped fuel the demand.
Read More →
Cox Automotive research shows both the opportunities and the challenges in turning consumers’ growing affordability needs into increased fixed-operations revenue.
Read More →
The partner you choose for growth and expansion is key, because better is the ultimate goal instead of growth for growth’s sake.
Read More →