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GM, Ford post massive US March sales slip

By Matt Brogan |

It seems it’s a case of another day, another bad news story from the US.

This morning we received March sales figures from the US which show a total sales slip of some 36.8 per cent for that month.

On the bottom of the pile, perhaps not surprisingly, are GM and Ford with the pair posting the sharpest sales slip of all major US car manufacturers.

GM posted a 44.7 per cent slide for March, while Ford’s sales dropped 42.1 per cent. Chrysler also had a shocking month with its sales tumbling 39.3 per cent.

Rival Japanese manufacturers were also suffering with average falls ranging between 36 and 39 per cent.

The results exceeded analysts’ projections, but despite all the bad news, some analysts and company officials believe the worst may have passed.

“We believe we may be at or near the trough of the industry’s year-to-year comparisons but do not see an uptick in industry demand before fourth-quarter 2009 at the earliest,” Standard & Poor’s equity analyst Efraim Levy said.

Only the April figures will prove this theory correct.

Legend:

Note: Other includes estimates for Aston Martin, Ferrari, Lamborghini and Lotus
*Includes Mini and Rolls-Royce
**DaimlerChrysler sold the Chrysler group on Aug. 3, 2007
***Incudes Maybach, Mercedes-Benz and Smart
****Includes Jaguar and Land Rover (through May 31, 2008) and Volvo
*****Includes Saab
†Includes Honda Division and Acura
††Includes Hyundai and Kia
†††Includes Nissan Division and Infiniti
‡Tata Motors includes Jaguar and Land Rover as of June 1, 2008
‡‡Includes Toyota Division, Lexus and Scion
‡‡‡Includes VW, Audi and Bentley


 
  • Frontman

    Did it slip everyones notice that Mitsubishi had a 57% dip? also whilst the numbers are not good they are still 1st & 2nd in volume. That last part bodes well for Ford given that they are only at the early stages of their restructuring.
    The other part this list shows is that, whilst the D3 have had large dips, no one is picking up the short fall. (and before the salesman jumps in Hyundai group have done well in increasing, but when you quarterly figures are less than the monthly figures of the big palyers you have a loooonnnnggg way to go before you become a real player). I feel certain that the majors would be real worried if say Nissan and VW had picked up the numbers lost, but as everyone is down then it is not as scary. {well that’s how I read the whole picture anyway}

  • http://www.caradvice.com.au OSU811

    good to see subaru as the only brand whos numbers have actually increased, and thats without the new liberty/outback models soon to be released!!

  • Simon

    OSU811 – Hyundai!
    “On the bottom of the pile, perhaps not surprisingly, are GM and Ford”……..Chrysler’s sales are down on Fords.
    Maserati obviously at the wrong end of the spectrum!

  • Frontman

    He He OSU811 :-)
    Sure Subaru has gained 1.6%, however taken in context, they are selling only 10% of Chryslers output for the same period. See how figures can make anything look good or bad :-)

  • Tim

    Subaru is finally getting recognised in the US as a good vehicle manufacturer. Well done to them, 1.6% rise is great, especially when compared to a 45% loss!

  • Devil666

    Oh no, OSU811 haven’t you herd?

    The new Liberty is disgusting. I hope people don’t buy it in protest to Subaru’s styling department, which apparently now consists of kindergarten children.

    The current Outback/Liberty were essentially perfect, bar the drab interior.

    Sales of said filthy beast are going to be questionable. I certainly wouldn’t expect record sales.

  • http://www.caradvice.com.au OSU811

    devil666, the americans will love the style of there version of the new liberty, thats why they get there own version and we will get the jap/euro version!! They love big ugly looking sedans. I think it will sell very well..
    Just hope our version looks more sleek/sporty..

  • Tim

    Agree with OSU, Devil – have you seen their version of the Mazda 6…yuuuck!!

  • JasonP

    So GM is tanking, but still sells more than Toyota & VW combined, in the US.

    It ain’t over yet………

  • opel

    Thats right Jason, they also lose more money than toyota, subaru, VW, and Ford combined.

  • opel

    Good point frontman, but when you cant make next months wages bill, why would lost sales worry you.

  • JasonP

    Opel,

    Just making the point that customers are still buying their cars, despite financial woes of GM, less quality, less fuel efficiency, tc etc.

    If they can restructure GM, buyers will come back.

    still think it’s strange that they gave the banks $US700 billion as a gift, with no clear rules as to how to spend it, but everyone is up in arms over $US26 Billion in loans to car companies, with enough overriders & conditions, that the US Govt has the power to get the CEO of GM to step down.

    I also don’t get why Australians on this website are so offended by how the US Govt spends it’s money.

    And finally, when was the last time any Western Govt was accused of running things efficently & to make a profit?

    Don’t say Johnny Howards’ boys…. our roads are crap and/or Privately funded via tolls, the Health system is crumbling, not enough good school teachers, the list goes on……..