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There's a war going on between Cadillac and Lincoln. With the new Navigator, Lincoln has a very compelling alternative to Cadillac's aging Escalade. But Cadillac is fighting back by dumping a bunch of cash on the hood. Bloomberg obtained a memo sent to Cadillac dealers that announces a new promotion where current lease customers of 2016 Escalades are being offered a $10,000 discount on a new Escalade. Owners of 2016 Escalades have to make do with a $7,500 discount. The promotion runs until the end of May. GM Spokesman Jim Cain confirmed the promotion to Bloomberg. This isn't the first time Cadillac has put a huge amount of money onto the hood of the Escalade. Back in November, Cadillac was offering owners of Lincoln models from 1999 to the current model year a $5,000 discount on an Escalade. Cadillac still holds a significant edge over the Navigator in terms of sales - 8,111 Escalades vs. 4,062 Navigators through March. But Lincoln is gaining ground with Navigators only sitting on dealer lots 10 days on average. “GM is trying to keep Escalade buyers out of Navigators, for sure. You’ve got a fresh Navigator and you’ve got an Escalade that is not new and is starting to age,” said Jeff Schuster, an analyst at LMC Automotive. “This is a particular battle that GM doesn’t want to lose ground in. It speaks to the importance of the Escalade.” Source: Bloomberg View full article

There's a war going on between Cadillac and Lincoln. With the new Navigator, Lincoln has a very compelling alternative to Cadillac's aging Escalade. But Cadillac is fighting back by dumping a bunch of cash on the hood. Bloomberg obtained a memo sent to Cadillac dealers that announces a new promotion where current lease customers of 2016 Escalades are being offered a $10,000 discount on a new Escalade. Owners of 2016 Escalades have to make do with a $7,500 discount. The promotion runs until the end of May. GM Spokesman Jim Cain confirmed the promotion to Bloomberg. This isn't the first time Cadillac has put a huge amount of money onto the hood of the Escalade. Back in November, Cadillac was offering owners of Lincoln models from 1999 to the current model year a $5,000 discount on an Escalade. Cadillac still holds a significant edge over the Navigator in terms of sales - 8,111 Escalades vs. 4,062 Navigators through March. But Lincoln is gaining ground with Navigators only sitting on dealer lots 10 days on average. “GM is trying to keep Escalade buyers out of Navigators, for sure. You’ve got a fresh Navigator and you’ve got an Escalade that is not new and is starting to age,” said Jeff Schuster, an analyst at LMC Automotive. “This is a particular battle that GM doesn’t want to lose ground in. It speaks to the importance of the Escalade.” Source: Bloomberg

Volvo Cars of North America, LLC - Up 53.7% (8,233 Vehicles Sold This Month, 20,083 Vehicles Sold This Year) Mazda North American Operations - Up 35.7% (33,302 Vehicles Sold This Month, 83,995 Vehicles Sold This Year) Mitsubishi Motors North America - Up 21.7% (14,319 Vehicles Sold This Month, 35,772 Vehicles Sold This Year) Volkswagen of America - Up 17.8% (32,548 Vehicles Sold This Month, 83,952 Vehicles Sold This Year) General Motors Co. - Up 15.7% (296,341 Vehicles Sold This Month, 715,794 Vehicles Sold This Year) FCA US LLC - Up 14% (216,063 Vehicles Sold This Month, 514,769 Vehicles Sold This Year) Jaguar Land Rover North America - Up 10% (14,232 Vehicles Sold This Month, 32,295 Vehicles Sold This Year) Audi of America - Up 7.4% (20,090 Vehicles Sold This Month, 50,052 Vehicles Sold This Year) Porsche Cars North America, Inc. - Up 6.2% (4,756 Vehicles Sold This Month, 13,954 Vehicles Sold This Year) Subaru of America, Inc. - Up 5.9% (58,097 Vehicles Sold This Month, 149,703 Vehicles Sold This Year) American Honda Motor Co. - Up 3.8% (142,392 Vehicles Sold This Month, 362,491 Vehicles Sold This Year) Toyota Motor North America - Up 3.5% (222,782 Vehicles Sold This Month, 572,033 Vehicles Sold This Year) Ford Motor Company - Up 3.4% (244,306 Vehicles Sold This Month, 599,581 Vehicles Sold This Year) Kia Motors America - Up 2.5% (50,645 Vehicles Sold This Month, 126,945 Vehicles Sold This Year) BMW Group U.S. - Down 0.4% (35,842 Vehicles Sold This Month, 84,368 Vehicles Sold This Year) Mercedes-Benz USA - Down 2.7% (31,484 Vehicles Sold This Month, 86,981 Vehicles Sold This Year) Nissan North America - Down 3.7% (162,535 Vehicles Sold This Month, 416,003 Vehicles Sold This Year) Hyundai Motor America - Down 11% (61,540 Vehicles Sold This Month, 148,877 Vehicles Sold This Year) Maserati North America, Inc. - Brands: Acura - Up 15.7% (13,537 Vehicles Sold This Month, 33,414 Vehicles Sold This Year) Alfa Romeo - Up 364% (2,576 Vehicles Sold This Month, 5,792 Vehicles Sold This Year) Audi - Up 7.4% (20,090 Vehicles Sold This Month, 50,052 Vehicles Sold This Year) BMW - Up 1% (31,311 Vehicles Sold This Month, 73,835 Vehicles Sold This Year) Buick - Up 28% (26,834 Vehicles Sold This Month, 56,804 Vehicles Sold This Year) Cadillac - Up 12.7% (14,494 Vehicles Sold This Month, 36,727 Vehicles Sold This Year) Chevrolet - Up 15.6% (199,367 Vehicles Sold This Month, 490,919 Vehicles Sold This Year) Chrysler - Up 15% (19,499 Vehicles Sold This Month, 46,233 Vehicles Sold This Year) Dodge - Down 2% (49,184 Vehicles Sold This Month, 116,971 Vehicles Sold This Year) Fiat - Down 47% (1,544 Vehicles Sold This Month, 4,014 Vehicles Sold This Year) Ford - Up 3.6% (234,954 Vehicles Sold This Month, 577,119 Vehicles Sold This Year) Genesis - Down 21% (1,386 Vehicles Sold This Month, 4,362 Vehicles Sold This Year) GMC - Up 11.4% (55,646 Vehicles Sold This Month, 131,344 Vehicles Sold This Year) Honda - Up 2.6% (128,855 Vehicles Sold This Month, 329,077 Vehicles Sold This Year) Hyundai - Down 10.9% (60,154 Vehicles Sold This Month, 144,515 Vehicles Sold This Year) Infiniti - Down 4.6% (17,432 Vehicles Sold This Month, 40,887 Vehicles Sold This Year) Jaguar - Down 34% (3,260 Vehicles Sold This Month, 8,049 Vehicles Sold This Year) Jeep - Up 45% (98,382 Vehicles Sold This Month, 228,105 Vehicles Sold This Year) Kia - Up 2.5% (50,645 Vehicles Sold This Month, 126,945 Vehicles Sold This Year) Land Rover - Up 38% (10,972 Vehicles Sold This Month, 24,246 Vehicles Sold This Year) Lexus - Down 3.2% (27,032 Vehicles Sold This Month, 64,211 Vehicles Sold This Year) Lincoln - Down 2.1% (9,352 Vehicles Sold This Month, 22,462 Vehicles Sold This Year) Maserati - Mazda - Up 35.7% (33,302 Vehicles Sold This Month, 83,995 Vehicles Sold This Year) Mercedes-Benz - Down 2.4% (28,407 Vehicles Sold This Month, 78,474 Vehicles Sold This Year) Mercedes-Benz Vans - Up 3.3% (2,967 Vehicles Sold This Month, 8,186 Vehicles Sold This Year) MINI - Down 9.1% (4,531 Vehicles Sold This Month, 10,533 Vehicles Sold This Year) Mitsubishi - Up 21.7% (14,319 Vehicles Sold This Month, 35,772 Vehicles Sold This Year) Nissan - Down 3.6% (145,103 Vehicles Sold This Month, 375,116 Vehicles Sold This Year) Porsche - Up 6.2% (4,756 Vehicles Sold This Month, 13,954 Vehicles Sold This Year) Ram Trucks - Down 13% (44,878 Vehicles Sold This Month, 113,654 Vehicles Sold This Year) Smart - Down 71.7% (110 Vehicles Sold This Month, 321 Vehicles Sold This Year) Subaru - Up 5.9% (58,097 Vehicles Sold This Month, 149,703 Vehicles Sold This Year) Toyota - Up 4.5% (195,750 Vehicles Sold This Month, 507,822 Vehicles Sold This Year) Volkswagen - Up 17.8% (32,548 Vehicles Sold This Month, 83,952 Vehicles Sold This Year) Volvo - Up 53.7% (8,233 Vehicles Sold This Month, 20,083 Vehicles Sold This Year)

Volvo Cars of North America, LLC - Up 53.7% (8,233 Vehicles Sold This Month, 20,083 Vehicles Sold This Year) Mazda North American Operations - Up 35.7% (33,302 Vehicles Sold This Month, 83,995 Vehicles Sold This Year) Mitsubishi Motors North America - Up 21.7% (14,319 Vehicles Sold This Month, 35,772 Vehicles Sold This Year) Volkswagen of America - Up 17.8% (32,548 Vehicles Sold This Month, 83,952 Vehicles Sold This Year) General Motors Co. - Up 15.7% (296,341 Vehicles Sold This Month, 715,794 Vehicles Sold This Year) FCA US LLC - Up 14% (216,063 Vehicles Sold This Month, 514,769 Vehicles Sold This Year) Jaguar Land Rover North America - Up 10% (14,232 Vehicles Sold This Month, 32,295 Vehicles Sold This Year) Audi of America - Up 7.4% (20,090 Vehicles Sold This Month, 50,052 Vehicles Sold This Year) Porsche Cars North America, Inc. - Up 6.2% (4,756 Vehicles Sold This Month, 13,954 Vehicles Sold This Year) Subaru of America, Inc. - Up 5.9% (58,097 Vehicles Sold This Month, 149,703 Vehicles Sold This Year) American Honda Motor Co. - Up 3.8% (142,392 Vehicles Sold This Month, 362,491 Vehicles Sold This Year) Toyota Motor North America - Up 3.5% (222,782 Vehicles Sold This Month, 572,033 Vehicles Sold This Year) Ford Motor Company - Up 3.4% (244,306 Vehicles Sold This Month, 599,581 Vehicles Sold This Year) Kia Motors America - Up 2.5% (50,645 Vehicles Sold This Month, 126,945 Vehicles Sold This Year) BMW Group U.S. - Down 0.4% (35,842 Vehicles Sold This Month, 84,368 Vehicles Sold This Year) Mercedes-Benz USA - Down 2.7% (31,484 Vehicles Sold This Month, 86,981 Vehicles Sold This Year) Nissan North America - Down 3.7% (162,535 Vehicles Sold This Month, 416,003 Vehicles Sold This Year) Hyundai Motor America - Down 11% (61,540 Vehicles Sold This Month, 148,877 Vehicles Sold This Year) Maserati North America, Inc. - Brands: Acura - Up 15.7% (13,537 Vehicles Sold This Month, 33,414 Vehicles Sold This Year) Alfa Romeo - Up 364% (2,576 Vehicles Sold This Month, 5,792 Vehicles Sold This Year) Audi - Up 7.4% (20,090 Vehicles Sold This Month, 50,052 Vehicles Sold This Year) BMW - Up 1% (31,311 Vehicles Sold This Month, 73,835 Vehicles Sold This Year) Buick - Up 28% (26,834 Vehicles Sold This Month, 56,804 Vehicles Sold This Year) Cadillac - Up 12.7% (14,494 Vehicles Sold This Month, 36,727 Vehicles Sold This Year) Chevrolet - Up 15.6% (199,367 Vehicles Sold This Month, 490,919 Vehicles Sold This Year) Chrysler - Up 15% (19,499 Vehicles Sold This Month, 46,233 Vehicles Sold This Year) Dodge - Down 2% (49,184 Vehicles Sold This Month, 116,971 Vehicles Sold This Year) Fiat - Down 47% (1,544 Vehicles Sold This Month, 4,014 Vehicles Sold This Year) Ford - Up 3.6% (234,954 Vehicles Sold This Month, 577,119 Vehicles Sold This Year) Genesis - Down 21% (1,386 Vehicles Sold This Month, 4,362 Vehicles Sold This Year) GMC - Up 11.4% (55,646 Vehicles Sold This Month, 131,344 Vehicles Sold This Year) Honda - Up 2.6% (128,855 Vehicles Sold This Month, 329,077 Vehicles Sold This Year) Hyundai - Down 10.9% (60,154 Vehicles Sold This Month, 144,515 Vehicles Sold This Year) Infiniti - Down 4.6% (17,432 Vehicles Sold This Month, 40,887 Vehicles Sold This Year) Jaguar - Down 34% (3,260 Vehicles Sold This Month, 8,049 Vehicles Sold This Year) Jeep - Up 45% (98,382 Vehicles Sold This Month, 228,105 Vehicles Sold This Year) Kia - Up 2.5% (50,645 Vehicles Sold This Month, 126,945 Vehicles Sold This Year) Land Rover - Up 38% (10,972 Vehicles Sold This Month, 24,246 Vehicles Sold This Year) Lexus - Down 3.2% (27,032 Vehicles Sold This Month, 64,211 Vehicles Sold This Year) Lincoln - Down 2.1% (9,352 Vehicles Sold This Month, 22,462 Vehicles Sold This Year) Maserati - Mazda - Up 35.7% (33,302 Vehicles Sold This Month, 83,995 Vehicles Sold This Year) Mercedes-Benz - Down 2.4% (28,407 Vehicles Sold This Month, 78,474 Vehicles Sold This Year) Mercedes-Benz Vans - Up 3.3% (2,967 Vehicles Sold This Month, 8,186 Vehicles Sold This Year) MINI - Down 9.1% (4,531 Vehicles Sold This Month, 10,533 Vehicles Sold This Year) Mitsubishi - Up 21.7% (14,319 Vehicles Sold This Month, 35,772 Vehicles Sold This Year) Nissan - Down 3.6% (145,103 Vehicles Sold This Month, 375,116 Vehicles Sold This Year) Porsche - Up 6.2% (4,756 Vehicles Sold This Month, 13,954 Vehicles Sold This Year) Ram Trucks - Down 13% (44,878 Vehicles Sold This Month, 113,654 Vehicles Sold This Year) Smart - Down 71.7% (110 Vehicles Sold This Month, 321 Vehicles Sold This Year) Subaru - Up 5.9% (58,097 Vehicles Sold This Month, 149,703 Vehicles Sold This Year) Toyota - Up 4.5% (195,750 Vehicles Sold This Month, 507,822 Vehicles Sold This Year) Volkswagen - Up 17.8% (32,548 Vehicles Sold This Month, 83,952 Vehicles Sold This Year) Volvo - Up 53.7% (8,233 Vehicles Sold This Month, 20,083 Vehicles Sold This Year) View full article

FCA US Reports 2018 March Sales FCA US reports best March retail sales in 17 years Jeep brand reports best month of total sales ever Jeep Wrangler reports best month of total sales ever Ram Light Duty retail sales increased 8 percent April 3, 2018 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - FCA US LLC today reported March 2018 sales of 216,063 vehicles, a 14 percent increase compared with sales in March 2017 of 190,254 vehicles. The company reported retail sales of 162,304 vehicles, up 11 percent from March 2017. It was the best month of March retail sales since the company sold 170,545 vehicles in March 2001. Total sales were the highest since March 2006 when the company sold 216,865 vehicles. Fleet accounted for 25 percent of overall sales. Jeep Brand Jeep brand total sales rose 45 percent in March to 98,382 vehicles for its best month ever. The Jeep Wrangler led the group as sales rose 70 percent to 27,829 vehicles. It was the best month of sales ever for the nameplate, eclipsing the May 2015 record of 22,615 vehicles. Jeep Cherokee sales increased 63 percent to 23,764 vehicles for its best March sales ever. Ram Truck Brand Ram Truck brand sales declined 13 percent to 44,878 vehicles compared with the previous year. However, retail sales of the Ram Light Duty pickup truck rose 8 percent to 26,050 vehicles. The new 2019 Ram 1500 pickup truck began shipping to dealers in the second half of the month. The truck is being produced at the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant in Michigan. Chrysler Brand Chrysler brand total sales rose 15 percent in March to 19,499 vehicles compared with the same month a year ago. The Chrysler Pacifica minivan posted a 40 percent sales increase while the Chrysler 300 rose 25 percent. Dodge Brand Dodge brand total sales declined 2 percent to 49,184. Sales of the Dodge Challenger rose 31 percent to 8,150 vehicles. FIAT Brand Sales of Fiat declined 47 percent to 1,544 vehicles. Alfa Romeo Brand Alfa Romeo brand sales of 2,576 vehicles were up significantly compared with the same month a year ago. Giulia led the brand with 1,284 sales followed by Stelvio at 1,270 vehicles. FCA US LLC Sales Summary March 2018 Month Sales Vol % CYTD Sales Vol % Model Curr Yr Pr Yr Change Curr Yr Pr Yr Change Compass 17,302 2,651 553% 43,520 8,552 409% Patriot 100 5,968 -98% 364 16,180 -98% Wrangler 27,829 16,336 70% 55,504 41,311 34% Cherokee 23,764 14,589 63% 50,610 40,755 24% Grand Cherokee 19,616 20,374 -4% 53,448 56,600 -6% Renegade 9,771 8,065 21% 24,659 25,345 -3% JEEP BRAND 98,382 67,983 45% 228,105 188,743 21% Ram P/U 41,307 46,384 -11% 103,964 119,199 -13% Cargo Van 0 0 0% 0 0 ProMaster Van 2,451 4,048 -39% 6,457 10,047 -36% ProMaster City 1,120 1,317 -15% 3,233 3,333 -3% RAM BRAND 44,878 51,749 -13% 113,654 132,579 -14% 200 189 2,565 -93% 659 6,620 -90% 300 6,223 4,969 25% 12,992 15,063 -14% Town & Country 1 95 -99% 3 341 -99% Pacifica 13,086 9,340 40% 32,579 25,052 30% CHRYSLER BRAND 19,499 16,969 15% 46,233 47,076 -2% Dart 87 1,578 -94% 252 4,658 -95% Avenger 0 0 100% 1 0 Charger 8,504 8,236 3% 21,265 22,319 -5% Challenger 8,150 6,225 31% 17,648 15,725 12% Viper 6 71 -92% 9 178 -95% Journey 10,275 11,858 -13% 18,419 34,400 -46% Caravan 16,292 15,602 4% 43,144 40,054 8% Durango 5,870 6,506 -10% 16,233 16,729 -3% DODGE BRAND 49,184 50,076 -2% 116,971 134,063 -13% 500 439 1,671 -74% 1,309 4,020 -67% 500L 173 106 63% 395 284 39% 500X 607 726 -16% 1,579 1,966 -20% Spider 325 419 -22% 731 961 -24% FIAT BRAND 1,544 2,922 -47% 4,014 7,231 -44% Giulia 1,284 484 165% 3,085 965 220% Alfa 4C 22 71 -69% 54 141 -62% Stelvio 1,270 0 New 2,653 0 New ALFA ROMEO 2,576 555 364% 5,792 1,106 424% FCA US LLC 216,063 190,254 14% 514,769 510,798 1% Total Car & MPV 54,781 51,432 7% 134,126 136,381 -2% Total UV's 116,404 87,073 34% 266,989 241,838 10% Total Truck & LCV 44,878 51,749 -13% 113,654 132,579 -14%

The new Honda Accord has been lauded by the automotive press for its design, improved ride and interior, and noticeable increases in fuel economy. In fact, the Accord has been named North American Car of the Year. But dealers are struggling to move the new Accord off lots. In February, sales of the Accord dropped 15.8 percent when compared to the year before. According to Automotive News, inventory levels of the Accord stood at a 104-day supply at the beginning of this month - very high by Honda's sparse count. Some dealers have been turning away shipments from the Marysville, Ohio plant. "Where lease is heavy, like Florida, New York, Ohio and California, that's where we're getting hurt. When you get two cars as close as they are, it's not that much better than the Camry that people are going to pay $50, $60 [or] $80 more a month," said Rick Case, CEO of Rick Case Automotive Group. One of Case's dealers in Florida has more than 600 Accords in stock, about 200 more than its usual stock. They have turned away some Accords in January an February. Sources told Automotive News that dealers in the Miami area have turned down around 1,000 Accords since they have too many sitting on their lots. One reason is how consumers are trending towards to crossovers over midsize sedans. But dealers who spoke with Automotive News say there is another reason - the lack of attractive leasing options. The new Accord has a higher starting price than the previous-generation model which in turn raises the price of a lease. Honda's website lists a 36-month lease for the base Accord LX at $249 per month with a $3,199 down payment. Meanwhile, Toyota is offering a 36-month Camry LE lease in the Detroit area for $229 per month with a $1,999 down payment. In other regions, the Camry deal becomes even sweeter. In the Miami area, Toyota is offering a 36-month Camry LE lease for $199 per month with a $3,198 down payment. The various accolades and high-quality that have been key Accord attributes aren't working at the moment. "The quality gap has narrowed between the domestics, Honda and Toyota. When you're buying a car, you have a great story to tell a customer. When you're leasing, they say, 'Well, it has at least three years of warranty on it.' They're just renting it anyway. It is an uphill battle," said a Honda dealer in the Detroit area. Dave Conant, owner of Conant Auto Retail Group which has four Honda dealers in California says he understand why Honda isn't throwing money at the Accord at the moment due to big investment to get it on the road. But he wouldn't be shocked if the automaker offers some sort of incentive support, especially in terms of leases later in the year. "I'll be surprised if we don't see some help in April or May. They're not going to let the car sit on the lot. Without the incentive support, the payment from the car [that customers are] trading to the new one — the gap is too large. They need to do something to bring that closer, and the car will start selling and leasing well again," said Conant. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

The new Honda Accord has been lauded by the automotive press for its design, improved ride and interior, and noticeable increases in fuel economy. In fact, the Accord has been named North American Car of the Year. But dealers are struggling to move the new Accord off lots. In February, sales of the Accord dropped 15.8 percent when compared to the year before. According to Automotive News, inventory levels of the Accord stood at a 104-day supply at the beginning of this month - very high by Honda's sparse count. Some dealers have been turning away shipments from the Marysville, Ohio plant. "Where lease is heavy, like Florida, New York, Ohio and California, that's where we're getting hurt. When you get two cars as close as they are, it's not that much better than the Camry that people are going to pay $50, $60 [or] $80 more a month," said Rick Case, CEO of Rick Case Automotive Group. One of Case's dealers in Florida has more than 600 Accords in stock, about 200 more than its usual stock. They have turned away some Accords in January an February. Sources told Automotive News that dealers in the Miami area have turned down around 1,000 Accords since they have too many sitting on their lots. One reason is how consumers are trending towards to crossovers over midsize sedans. But dealers who spoke with Automotive News say there is another reason - the lack of attractive leasing options. The new Accord has a higher starting price than the previous-generation model which in turn raises the price of a lease. Honda's website lists a 36-month lease for the base Accord LX at $249 per month with a $3,199 down payment. Meanwhile, Toyota is offering a 36-month Camry LE lease in the Detroit area for $229 per month with a $1,999 down payment. In other regions, the Camry deal becomes even sweeter. In the Miami area, Toyota is offering a 36-month Camry LE lease for $199 per month with a $3,198 down payment. The various accolades and high-quality that have been key Accord attributes aren't working at the moment. "The quality gap has narrowed between the domestics, Honda and Toyota. When you're buying a car, you have a great story to tell a customer. When you're leasing, they say, 'Well, it has at least three years of warranty on it.' They're just renting it anyway. It is an uphill battle," said a Honda dealer in the Detroit area. Dave Conant, owner of Conant Auto Retail Group which has four Honda dealers in California says he understand why Honda isn't throwing money at the Accord at the moment due to big investment to get it on the road. But he wouldn't be shocked if the automaker offers some sort of incentive support, especially in terms of leases later in the year. "I'll be surprised if we don't see some help in April or May. They're not going to let the car sit on the lot. Without the incentive support, the payment from the car [that customers are] trading to the new one — the gap is too large. They need to do something to bring that closer, and the car will start selling and leasing well again," said Conant. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required) View full article

If you have been following auto sales for the past few years, then you know that SUVs and trucks currently dominate the sales charts partly due to the low gas prices. This is especially true when it comes to the luxury segment, where utility models are eating sedans. But a new report from The New York Times reveals that American automakers are eating the lunches of luxury car manufacturers. According to data from Edmunds, the likes of Ford, Chevrolet, and GMC have seen their share of domestic sales of models with an average price of $60,000 steadily climbing, while luxury brands like Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and Lexus have been declining. GMC, in particular, has shown the largest growth, accounting 11.3 percent of domestic sales of $60,000-plus models in 2017. Five years ago, the brand only made up 0.1 percent of those sales. A lot of this credit can be laid at the feet of GMC's Denali brands. At a recent investor conference, GM showed data that the Denali line had an average sale price of $56,000 - more than the average price of an Audi, BMW, or Mercedes-Benz. “This thing is a money machine,” said GM's president Dan Ammann about Denali. Over at Ford, more than half of F-150 sales are made up by the Lariat, King Ranch, Raptor models. Only a few years ago, those models made up a third. Why are American automakers seeing a massive increase in expensive SUVs and trucks? Part of it comes down to price, but there is also the image. “We’ve been taking in Lexuses on trade-ins, BMWs," said Gary Gilchrist, owner of a GMC dealer in Tacoma, Washington. “People used to want German cars for the image factor. Now, if you have a Denali, you get that. People turn their heads to look.” Source: New York Times

If you have been following auto sales for the past few years, then you know that SUVs and trucks currently dominate the sales charts partly due to the low gas prices. This is especially true when it comes to the luxury segment, where utility models are eating sedans. But a new report from The New York Times reveals that American automakers are eating the lunches of luxury car manufacturers. According to data from Edmunds, the likes of Ford, Chevrolet, and GMC have seen their share of domestic sales of models with an average price of $60,000 steadily climbing, while luxury brands like Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and Lexus have been declining. GMC, in particular, has shown the largest growth, accounting 11.3 percent of domestic sales of $60,000-plus models in 2017. Five years ago, the brand only made up 0.1 percent of those sales. A lot of this credit can be laid at the feet of GMC's Denali brands. At a recent investor conference, GM showed data that the Denali line had an average sale price of $56,000 - more than the average price of an Audi, BMW, or Mercedes-Benz. “This thing is a money machine,” said GM's president Dan Ammann about Denali. Over at Ford, more than half of F-150 sales are made up by the Lariat, King Ranch, Raptor models. Only a few years ago, those models made up a third. Why are American automakers seeing a massive increase in expensive SUVs and trucks? Part of it comes down to price, but there is also the image. “We’ve been taking in Lexuses on trade-ins, BMWs," said Gary Gilchrist, owner of a GMC dealer in Tacoma, Washington. “People used to want German cars for the image factor. Now, if you have a Denali, you get that. People turn their heads to look.” Source: New York Times View full article

Tesla's production hell seems to be only getting worse than better. Various issues at their Freemont plant has caused the automaker to push back their goal of producing 5,000 Model 3s from late last year to June of this year. This, in turn, has caused some holders of Model 3 reservations to have their order pushed back to 2019. “As we work hard to meet demand, we wanted to let you know that your estimated delivery timing has been adjusted to a slightly later window,” Tesla said in an email to customers. According to Bloomberg, the new date depends on when the reservation was placed and what model was chosen. Tesla is trying to get the more expensive long-range battery model out first before starting production of the cheaper standard battery model. This has buyers of the latter model worried as they might not get the full $7,500 tax credit. The credit begins to phase out once an automaker has built 200,000, something Tesla expects to hit sometime this year. The move has caused some reservation holders to take to various forums and Twitter to complain. Others are deciding to jump ship and buy a Chevrolet Bolt. Reuters reports that Chevrolet dealers in California are seeing a noticeable increase of Tesla shoppers interested in the Bolt. “We’re getting the Tesla people who wanted their Model 3. We ask them, ‘What other cars are you interested in?’ They’re mostly Tesla. But they want the car now. They don’t want to wait,” said Yev Kaplinskiy of Stewart Chevrolet. Kaplinskiy said they sold 15 Bolts last weekend. Chevrolet is taking advantage of the delay by emailing some prospective buyers this week with the message of, “Bolt EV: Now available.” Source: Bloomberg, Reuters

Tesla's production hell seems to be only getting worse than better. Various issues at their Freemont plant has caused the automaker to push back their goal of producing 5,000 Model 3s from late last year to June of this year. This, in turn, has caused some holders of Model 3 reservations to have their order pushed back to 2019. “As we work hard to meet demand, we wanted to let you know that your estimated delivery timing has been adjusted to a slightly later window,” Tesla said in an email to customers. According to Bloomberg, the new date depends on when the reservation was placed and what model was chosen. Tesla is trying to get the more expensive long-range battery model out first before starting production of the cheaper standard battery model. This has buyers of the latter model worried as they might not get the full $7,500 tax credit. The credit begins to phase out once an automaker has built 200,000, something Tesla expects to hit sometime this year. The move has caused some reservation holders to take to various forums and Twitter to complain. Others are deciding to jump ship and buy a Chevrolet Bolt. Reuters reports that Chevrolet dealers in California are seeing a noticeable increase of Tesla shoppers interested in the Bolt. “We’re getting the Tesla people who wanted their Model 3. We ask them, ‘What other cars are you interested in?’ They’re mostly Tesla. But they want the car now. They don’t want to wait,” said Yev Kaplinskiy of Stewart Chevrolet. Kaplinskiy said they sold 15 Bolts last weekend. Chevrolet is taking advantage of the delay by emailing some prospective buyers this week with the message of, “Bolt EV: Now available.” Source: Bloomberg, Reuters View full article

Mercedes-Benz has finally revealed that it is not planning to sell any more diesel-powered vehicles in the U.S. Speaking with The Detroit Bureau, Mercedes' head of R&D Ola Kallenius said there isn't enough demand for diesels with the three-pointed star - citing they only made up three percent of total sales in their best year. A lot of the decrease can be laid at the Volkswagen diesel emission scandal. “The diesel doesn’t fit into our portfolio in the U.S.,” said Kallenius. There will be one group of Mercedes-Benz models that will be keeping diesel engines, the Sprinter vans. Sales of these models are continuing to rise. Source: The Detroit Bureau

Mercedes-Benz has finally revealed that it is not planning to sell any more diesel-powered vehicles in the U.S. Speaking with The Detroit Bureau, Mercedes' head of R&D Ola Kallenius said there isn't enough demand for diesels with the three-pointed star - citing they only made up three percent of total sales in their best year. A lot of the decrease can be laid at the Volkswagen diesel emission scandal. “The diesel doesn’t fit into our portfolio in the U.S.,” said Kallenius. There will be one group of Mercedes-Benz models that will be keeping diesel engines, the Sprinter vans. Sales of these models are continuing to rise. Source: The Detroit Bureau View full article

FCA US Reports 2017 December and Full-year Sales Chrysler Pacifica minivan posts best December sales ever Ram Truck brand records full-year sales increase in 2017 versus 2016 A 42 percent year-over-year decline in fleet sales for December is in line with the FCA US strategy to reduce sales to the daily rental segment January 3, 2018 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - FCA US LLC today reported sales of 171,946 units, an 11 percent decrease compared with sales in December 2016 (192,519 units). In December, retail sales of 150,772 units were down 3 percent compared with the same month in 2016 and represented 88 percent of total sales. In line with FCA’s strategy to reduce sales to the daily rental segment, fleet sales of 21,174 units were down, as expected, 42 percent year over year. The largest planned volume reduction in December fleet sales came from the Jeep brand, which reduced its fleet sales number by 75 percent year over year. Fleet sales represented 12 percent of total FCA US December sales. The Chrysler Pacifica minivan posted an 8 percent year-over-year increase for its best December sales ever. The Fiat 124 Spider recorded its best December sales as well. Other FCA US vehicles posting year-over-year sales increases in the month of December were the Chrysler 300, Jeep Cherokee, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Compass and Ram ProMaster City. Chrysler Brand Chrysler brand sales were up 3 percent in December, compared with the same month a year ago. Both the Chrysler Pacifica minivan and the Chrysler 300 full-size sedan posted sales increases in December. Sales of the 300 were up 60 percent for its best December sales since 2012. For the second-consecutive year, the Pacifica captured both the Minivan and Family Vehicle Best Buy awards from the automotive editors at Consumer Guide Automotive. Jeep Brand Jeep Compass, Jeep Cherokee and Jeep Grand Cherokee delivered year over year increases for December. Sales of the Cherokee were up 18 percent in December, compared with the same month a year ago. The 2018 Jeep Wrangler has earned a Residual Value Award from ALG, the industry benchmark for residual values and depreciation data, in the Off-road Utility segment. For the full year, Jeep Grand Cherokee sales increased 13 percent, compared with sales in 2016. FIAT Brand Sales of the Fiat 124 Spider were up 15 percent year over year for its best December sales ever. For the second-consecutive year, the 124 Spider took home a Best Buy award in the Sporty Performance Car category from Consumer Guide Automotive. Dodge Brand The Dodge Durango full-size SUV posted its best full year of sales since 2006. The Durango – for the sixth-consecutive year – earned the Best Buy award in the Large SUV category from Consumer Guide Automotive. In addition, Strategic Vision named the Dodge Charger to its “Most Loved Vehicles in America” list for the fourth-consecutive year. Ram Truck Brand Ram Truck brand sales were up year over year in 2017 versus 2016. In addition, sales of the Ram pickup truck edged up year over year in 2017 versus the previous year. For the 10th-consecutive year, the Ram pickup captured the Best Buy award for Large Pickup Truck from Consumer Guide Automotive. Alfa Romeo Brand Alfa Romeo brand sales of 2,034 units were up significantly compared with the same month a year ago and recorded its strongest monthly sales of 2017. Furthermore, Motor Trend named the Alfa Romeo Giulia as its 2018 Car of the Year, best representing exceptional value, superiority in its class and impact on the automotive scene. FCA US LLC Sales Summary December 2017 Month Sales Vol % CYTD Sales Vol % Model Curr Yr Pr Yr Change Curr Yr Pr Yr Change Compass 8,743 7,954 10% 83,253 94,061 -11% Patriot 240 7,809 -97% 40,735 121,926 -67% Wrangler 13,700 15,721 -13% 190,522 191,774 -1% Cherokee 19,358 16,380 18% 169,882 199,736 -15% Grand Cherokee 23,622 23,250 2% 240,696 212,273 13% Renegade 7,542 12,045 -37% 103,434 106,606 -3% JEEP BRAND 73,205 83,159 -12% 828,522 926,376 -11% 200 332 2,643 -87% 18,457 57,294 -68% 300 5,726 3,584 60% 51,237 53,241 -4% Town & Country 6 266 -98% 577 59,071 -99% Pacifica 11,144 10,283 8% 118,274 62,366 90% CHRYSLER BRAND 17,208 16,776 3% 188,545 231,972 -19% Dart 139 1,525 -91% 10,082 43,402 -77% Charger 6,830 7,237 -6% 88,351 95,437 -7% Challenger 4,508 5,257 -14% 64,537 64,433 0% Viper 9 59 -85% 585 630 -7% Journey 4,227 9,768 -57% 89,470 106,759 -16% Caravan 6,623 6,687 -1% 125,196 127,678 -2% Durango 5,547 5,796 -4% 68,761 68,474 0% DODGE BRAND 27,885 36,329 -23% 446,996 506,858 -12% Ram P/U 44,907 47,556 -6% 500,723 489,418 2% ProMaster Van 3,352 4,694 -29% 40,483 40,440 0% ProMaster City 1,617 1,347 20% 15,584 15,972 -2% RAM BRAND 49,876 53,597 -7% 556,790 545,851 2% 500 667 1,411 -53% 12,685 15,437 -18% 500L 111 102 9% 1,664 3,118 -47% 500X 673 843 -20% 7,665 11,712 -35% Spider 287 250 15% 4,478 2,475 81% FIAT BRAND 1,738 2,606 -33% 26,492 32,742 -19% Giulia 1,011 29 3386% 8,903 36 24631% Alfa 4C 26 23 13% 407 480 -15% Stelvio 997 0 New 2,721 0 New ALFA ROMEO 2,034 52 3812% 12,031 516 2232% FCA US LLC 171,946 192,519 -11% 2,059,376 2,244,315 -8%

Audi of America - Up 16.3% (26,977 Vehicles Sold This Month, 226,511 Vehicles Sold This Year) Mitsubishi Motors North America - Up 15.1% (8,501 Vehicles Sold This Month, 103,686 Vehicles Sold This Year) Mercedes-Benz USA - Up 6.4% (39,416 Vehicles Sold This Month, 375,311 Vehicles Sold This Year) BMW Group U.S. - Up 3.7% (38,864 Vehicles Sold This Month, 352,790 Vehicles Sold This Year) Ford Motor Company - Up 0.9% (242,049 Vehicles Sold This Month, 2,586,715 Vehicles Sold This Year) Subaru of America, Inc. - Up 0.3% (63,342 Vehicles Sold This Month, 647,956 Vehicles Sold This Year) Porsche Cars North America, Inc. - Down 2.5% (3,913 Vehicles Sold This Month, 55,420 Vehicles Sold This Year) General Motors Co. - Down 3.3% (308,539 Vehicles Sold This Month, 3,002,241 Vehicles Sold This Year) Mazda North American Operations - Down 6.5% (26,893 Vehicles Sold This Month, 289,470 Vehicles Sold This Year) American Honda Motor Co. - Down 7% (149,317 Vehicles Sold This Month, 1,641,429 Vehicles Sold This Year) Toyota Motor North America - Down 8.3% (222,985 Vehicles Sold This Month, 2,434,515 Vehicles Sold This Year) Jaguar Land Rover North America - Down 9% (11,394 Vehicles Sold This Month, 114,333 Vehicles Sold This Year) Nissan Group - Down 9.5% (138,226 Vehicles Sold This Month, 1,593,464 Vehicles Sold This Year) FCA US LLC - Down 11% (171,946 Vehicles Sold This Month, 2,059,376 Vehicles Sold This Year) Maserati North America, Inc. - Down 15.8% (1,427 Vehicles Sold This Month, 13,697 Vehicles Sold This Year) Volkswagen of America - Down 18.7% (30,281 Vehicles Sold This Month, 339,676 Vehicles Sold This Year) Kia Motors America - Down 20.8% (43,039 Vehicles Sold This Month, 589,668 Vehicles Sold This Year) Hyundai Motor America - Volvo Cars of North America, LLC - Brands: Acura - Down 12.2% (15,062 Vehicles Sold This Month, 154,602 Vehicles Sold This Year) Alfa Romeo - Up 3,812% (2,034 Vehicles Sold This Month, 12,031 Vehicles Sold This Year) Audi - Up 16.3% (26,977 Vehicles Sold This Month, 226,511 Vehicles Sold This Year) BMW - Up 4.3% (34,253 Vehicles Sold This Month, 305,685 Vehicles Sold This Year) Buick - Up 4.7% (22,285 Vehicles Sold This Month, 219,231 Vehicles Sold This Year) Cadillac - Down 28.6% (15,304 Vehicles Sold This Month, 156,440 Vehicles Sold This Year) Chevrolet - Down 2.9% (206,804 Vehicles Sold This Month, 2,065,883 Vehicles Sold This Year) Chrysler - Up 3% (17,208 Vehicles Sold This Month, 188,545 Vehicles Sold This Year) Dodge - Down 23% (27,885 Vehicles Sold This Month, 446,996 Vehicles Sold This Year) Fiat - Down 33% (1,738 Vehicles Sold This Month, 26,492 Vehicles Sold This Year) Ford - Up 1.9% (231,430 Vehicles Sold This Month, 2,475,556 Vehicles Sold This Year) Genesis - GMC - Up 1.2% (64,146 Vehicles Sold This Month, 560,687 Vehicles Sold This Year) Honda - Down 6.3% (134,255 Vehicles Sold This Month, 1,486,827 Vehicles Sold This Year) Hyundai - Infiniti - Down 10% (16,379 Vehicles Sold This Month, 153,415 Vehicles Sold This Year) Jaguar - Down 20% (3,414 Vehicles Sold This Month, 39,594 Vehicles Sold This Year) Jeep - Down 12% (73,205 Vehicles Sold This Month, 828,522 Vehicles Sold This Year) Kia - Down 20.8% (43,039 Vehicles Sold This Month, 589,668 Vehicles Sold This Year) Land Rover - Down 4% (7,980 Vehicles Sold This Month, 74,739 Vehicles Sold This Year) Lexus - Down 13.9% (35,461 Vehicles Sold This Month, 305,132 Vehicles Sold This Year) Lincoln - Down 17% (10,619 Vehicles Sold This Month, 111,159 Vehicles Sold This Year) Maserati - Down 15.8% (1,427 Vehicles Sold This Month, 13,697 Vehicles Sold This Year) Mazda - Down 6.5% (26,893 Vehicles Sold This Month, 289,470 Vehicles Sold This Year) Mercedes-Benz - Up 10% (35,203 Vehicles Sold This Month, 337,246 Vehicles Sold This Year) Mercedes-Benz Vans - Up 4.8% (4,047 Vehicles Sold This Month, 34,994 Vehicles Sold This Year) MINI - Down 1% (4,611 Vehicles Sold This Month, 47,105 Vehicles Sold This Year) Mitsubishi - Up 15.1% (8,501 Vehicles Sold This Month, 103,686 Vehicles Sold This Year) Nissan - Down 9.4% (121,847 Vehicles Sold This Month, 1,440,049 Vehicles Sold This Year) Porsche - Down 2.5% (3,913 Vehicles Sold This Month, 55,420 Vehicles Sold This Year) Ram Trucks - Down 7% (49,876 Vehicles Sold This Month, 556,790 Vehicles Sold This Year) Smart - Down 86% (166 Vehicles Sold This Month, 3,071 Vehicles Sold This Year) Subaru - Up 0.3% (63,342 Vehicles Sold This Month, 647,956 Vehicles Sold This Year) Toyota - Down 7.2% (187,524 Vehicles Sold This Month, 2,129,383 Vehicles Sold This Year) Volkswagen - Down 18.7% (30,281 Vehicles Sold This Month, 339,676 Vehicles Sold This Year) Volvo -

Audi of America - Up 16.3% (26,977 Vehicles Sold This Month, 226,511 Vehicles Sold This Year) Mitsubishi Motors North America - Up 15.1% (8,501 Vehicles Sold This Month, 103,686 Vehicles Sold This Year) Mercedes-Benz USA - Up 6.4% (39,416 Vehicles Sold This Month, 375,311 Vehicles Sold This Year) BMW Group U.S. - Up 3.7% (38,864 Vehicles Sold This Month, 352,790 Vehicles Sold This Year) Ford Motor Company - Up 0.9% (242,049 Vehicles Sold This Month, 2,586,715 Vehicles Sold This Year) Subaru of America, Inc. - Up 0.3% (63,342 Vehicles Sold This Month, 647,956 Vehicles Sold This Year) Porsche Cars North America, Inc. - Down 2.5% (3,913 Vehicles Sold This Month, 55,420 Vehicles Sold This Year) General Motors Co. - Down 3.3% (308,539 Vehicles Sold This Month, 3,002,241 Vehicles Sold This Year) Mazda North American Operations - Down 6.5% (26,893 Vehicles Sold This Month, 289,470 Vehicles Sold This Year) American Honda Motor Co. - Down 7% (149,317 Vehicles Sold This Month, 1,641,429 Vehicles Sold This Year) Toyota Motor North America - Down 8.3% (222,985 Vehicles Sold This Month, 2,434,515 Vehicles Sold This Year) Jaguar Land Rover North America - Down 9% (11,394 Vehicles Sold This Month, 114,333 Vehicles Sold This Year) Nissan Group - Down 9.5% (138,226 Vehicles Sold This Month, 1,593,464 Vehicles Sold This Year) FCA US LLC - Down 11% (171,946 Vehicles Sold This Month, 2,059,376 Vehicles Sold This Year) Maserati North America, Inc. - Down 15.8% (1,427 Vehicles Sold This Month, 13,697 Vehicles Sold This Year) Volkswagen of America - Down 18.7% (30,281 Vehicles Sold This Month, 339,676 Vehicles Sold This Year) Kia Motors America - Down 20.8% (43,039 Vehicles Sold This Month, 589,668 Vehicles Sold This Year) Hyundai Motor America - Volvo Cars of North America, LLC - Brands: Acura - Down 12.2% (15,062 Vehicles Sold This Month, 154,602 Vehicles Sold This Year) Alfa Romeo - Up 3,812% (2,034 Vehicles Sold This Month, 12,031 Vehicles Sold This Year) Audi - Up 16.3% (26,977 Vehicles Sold This Month, 226,511 Vehicles Sold This Year) BMW - Up 4.3% (34,253 Vehicles Sold This Month, 305,685 Vehicles Sold This Year) Buick - Up 4.7% (22,285 Vehicles Sold This Month, 219,231 Vehicles Sold This Year) Cadillac - Down 28.6% (15,304 Vehicles Sold This Month, 156,440 Vehicles Sold This Year) Chevrolet - Down 2.9% (206,804 Vehicles Sold This Month, 2,065,883 Vehicles Sold This Year) Chrysler - Up 3% (17,208 Vehicles Sold This Month, 188,545 Vehicles Sold This Year) Dodge - Down 23% (27,885 Vehicles Sold This Month, 446,996 Vehicles Sold This Year) Fiat - Down 33% (1,738 Vehicles Sold This Month, 26,492 Vehicles Sold This Year) Ford - Up 1.9% (231,430 Vehicles Sold This Month, 2,475,556 Vehicles Sold This Year) Genesis - GMC - Up 1.2% (64,146 Vehicles Sold This Month, 560,687 Vehicles Sold This Year) Honda - Down 6.3% (134,255 Vehicles Sold This Month, 1,486,827 Vehicles Sold This Year) Hyundai - Infiniti - Down 10% (16,379 Vehicles Sold This Month, 153,415 Vehicles Sold This Year) Jaguar - Down 20% (3,414 Vehicles Sold This Month, 39,594 Vehicles Sold This Year) Jeep - Down 12% (73,205 Vehicles Sold This Month, 828,522 Vehicles Sold This Year) Kia - Down 20.8% (43,039 Vehicles Sold This Month, 589,668 Vehicles Sold This Year) Land Rover - Down 4% (7,980 Vehicles Sold This Month, 74,739 Vehicles Sold This Year) Lexus - Down 13.9% (35,461 Vehicles Sold This Month, 305,132 Vehicles Sold This Year) Lincoln - Down 17% (10,619 Vehicles Sold This Month, 111,159 Vehicles Sold This Year) Maserati - Down 15.8% (1,427 Vehicles Sold This Month, 13,697 Vehicles Sold This Year) Mazda - Down 6.5% (26,893 Vehicles Sold This Month, 289,470 Vehicles Sold This Year) Mercedes-Benz - Up 10% (35,203 Vehicles Sold This Month, 337,246 Vehicles Sold This Year) Mercedes-Benz Vans - Up 4.8% (4,047 Vehicles Sold This Month, 34,994 Vehicles Sold This Year) MINI - Down 1% (4,611 Vehicles Sold This Month, 47,105 Vehicles Sold This Year) Mitsubishi - Up 15.1% (8,501 Vehicles Sold This Month, 103,686 Vehicles Sold This Year) Nissan - Down 9.4% (121,847 Vehicles Sold This Month, 1,440,049 Vehicles Sold This Year) Porsche - Down 2.5% (3,913 Vehicles Sold This Month, 55,420 Vehicles Sold This Year) Ram Trucks - Down 7% (49,876 Vehicles Sold This Month, 556,790 Vehicles Sold This Year) Smart - Down 86% (166 Vehicles Sold This Month, 3,071 Vehicles Sold This Year) Subaru - Up 0.3% (63,342 Vehicles Sold This Month, 647,956 Vehicles Sold This Year) Toyota - Down 7.2% (187,524 Vehicles Sold This Month, 2,129,383 Vehicles Sold This Year) Volkswagen - Down 18.7% (30,281 Vehicles Sold This Month, 339,676 Vehicles Sold This Year) Volvo - View full article

If you have been recently renting vehicles, then you may have noticed the number of Nissan vehicles sitting out there. There is a reason for that, Nissan is selling more vehicles to rental car companies. According to the Wall Street Journal, Nissan has sold close to 300,000 vehicles to rental fleets this year. Judy Wheeler, Nissan North America's VP of Sales Operations tells the paper the company has boosted sales to fleets from 14 percent in 2015 to 18 percent of total deliveries - the highest of any automaker. Wheeler goes on to say that rentals are a “very profitable business for us,” partly due to the company providing fleets with well-equipped models instead of barebone models. Kurt Kohler, Senior Vice President for Fleet Acquisition and Remarketing at Enterprise said that selling to rental fleets is a good thing as it leaves an impression for a customer on a particular brand - good or bad. Kohler goes on to say, “It doesn’t require expensive retail advertising, and is a guaranteed source of business.” But there is a major downside to expanding sales to rental fleets, falling resale prices. It also flies in the face of other automakers who are shrinking their sales to rental companies. General Motors, a poster child for rental car sales is projecting a retail/rental ratio drop below 10 percent for the first time in many years. The top 10 vehicles sold to rental fleets according to Polk/IHS Automotive (through October) Nissan Altima - 70,826 units Dodge Caravan - 65,674 units Nissan Rogue - 55,969 units Ford F-Series - 49,963 units Toyota Corolla - 48,427 units Toyota Camry - 47,620 units Ram Truck - 44,810 units Nissan Versa - 37,989 units Nissan Sentra - 35,635 units Ford Fusion - 33,045 units Source: Wall Street Journal (Subscription Required)

If you have been recently renting vehicles, then you may have noticed the number of Nissan vehicles sitting out there. There is a reason for that, Nissan is selling more vehicles to rental car companies. According to the Wall Street Journal, Nissan has sold close to 300,000 vehicles to rental fleets this year. Judy Wheeler, Nissan North America's VP of Sales Operations tells the paper the company has boosted sales to fleets from 14 percent in 2015 to 18 percent of total deliveries - the highest of any automaker. Wheeler goes on to say that rentals are a “very profitable business for us,” partly due to the company providing fleets with well-equipped models instead of barebone models. Kurt Kohler, Senior Vice President for Fleet Acquisition and Remarketing at Enterprise said that selling to rental fleets is a good thing as it leaves an impression for a customer on a particular brand - good or bad. Kohler goes on to say, “It doesn’t require expensive retail advertising, and is a guaranteed source of business.” But there is a major downside to expanding sales to rental fleets, falling resale prices. It also flies in the face of other automakers who are shrinking their sales to rental companies. General Motors, a poster child for rental car sales is projecting a retail/rental ratio drop below 10 percent for the first time in many years. The top 10 vehicles sold to rental fleets according to Polk/IHS Automotive (through October) Nissan Altima - 70,826 units Dodge Caravan - 65,674 units Nissan Rogue - 55,969 units Ford F-Series - 49,963 units Toyota Corolla - 48,427 units Toyota Camry - 47,620 units Ram Truck - 44,810 units Nissan Versa - 37,989 units Nissan Sentra - 35,635 units Ford Fusion - 33,045 units Source: Wall Street Journal (Subscription Required) View full article

Mitsubishi Motors North America - Up 24.8% (8,609 Vehicles Sold This Month, 95,185 Vehicles Sold This Year) Audi of America - Up 12.1% (19,195 Vehicles Sold This Month, 199,534 Vehicles Sold This Year) Jaguar Land Rover North America - Up 9% (9,862 Vehicles Sold This Month, 102,939 Vehicles Sold This Year) American Honda Motor Co. - Up 8.3% (133,156 Vehicles Sold This Month, 1,492,112 Vehicles Sold This Year) Ford Motor Company - Up 6.7% (210,771 Vehicles Sold This Month, 2,344,666 Vehicles Sold This Year) BMW Group U.S. - Up 4.5% (32,087 Vehicles Sold This Month, 313,926 Vehicles Sold This Year) Mercedes-Benz USA - Up 2.2% (34,242 Vehicles Sold This Month, 335,895 Vehicles Sold This Year) Volvo Cars of North America, LLC - Up 1.7% (7,854 Vehicles Sold This Month, 71,828 Vehicles Sold This Year) Porsche Cars North America, Inc. - Up 0.8% (5,555 Vehicles Sold This Month, 51,507 Vehicles Sold This Year) Subaru of America, Inc. - Up 0.8% (51,721 Vehicles Sold This Month, 584,614 Vehicles Sold This Year) Volkswagen of America - Down 1.6% (29,207 Vehicles Sold This Month, 309,395 Vehicles Sold This Year) Mazda North American Operations - Down 2.6% (21,469 Vehicles Sold This Month, 262,577 Vehicles Sold This Year) General Motors Co. - Down 2.9% (245,387 Vehicles Sold This Month, 2,693,702 Vehicles Sold This Year) Toyota Motor North America - Down 3% (191,617 Vehicles Sold This Month, 2,211,530 Vehicles Sold This Year) FCA US LLC - Down 4% (154,919 Vehicles Sold This Month, 1,887,430 Vehicles Sold This Year) Hyundai Motor America - Down 9% (57,211 Vehicles Sold This Month, 621,961 Vehicles Sold This Year) Kia Motors America - Down 15.6% (44,302 Vehicles Sold This Month, 546,629 Vehicles Sold This Year) Maserati North America, Inc. - Down 17.3% (1,141 Vehicles Sold This Month, 12,271 Vehicles Sold This Year) Nissan North America - Brands: Acura - Up 9.5% (12,716 Vehicles Sold This Month, 139,540 Vehicles Sold This Year) Alfa Romeo - Up 6,161% (1,440 Vehicles Sold This Month, 9,997 Vehicles Sold This Year) Audi - Up 12.1% (19,195 Vehicles Sold This Month, 199,534 Vehicles Sold This Year) BMW - Up 7.1% (28,049 Vehicles Sold This Month, 271,432 Vehicles Sold This Year) Buick - Down 3% (17,794 Vehicles Sold This Month, 196,946 Vehicles Sold This Year) Cadillac - Down 12.8% (13,359 Vehicles Sold This Month, 141,136 Vehicles Sold This Year) Chevrolet - Down 1.1% (167,777 Vehicles Sold This Month, 1,859,079 Vehicles Sold This Year) Chrysler - Up 14% (16,510 Vehicles Sold This Month, 171,337 Vehicles Sold This Year) Dodge - Down 15% (28,845 Vehicles Sold This Month, 419,111 Vehicles Sold This Year) Fiat - Down 28% (1,733 Vehicles Sold This Month, 24,754 Vehicles Sold This Year) Ford - Up 7.3% (201,862 Vehicles Sold This Month, 2,244,126 Vehicles Sold This Year) Genesis - Up 36% (1,776 Vehicles Sold This Month, 18,664 Vehicles Sold This Year) GMC - Down 5.8% (46,277 Vehicles Sold This Month, 496,541 Vehicles Sold This Year) Honda - Up 8.2% (120,440 Vehicles Sold This Month, 1,352,572 Vehicles Sold This Year) Hyundai - Down 9.4% (55,435 Vehicles Sold This Month, 603,297 Vehicles Sold This Year) Infiniti - Jaguar - Down 9.5% (3,061 Vehicles Sold This Month, 36,180 Vehicles Sold This Year) Jeep - Down 2% (66,001 Vehicles Sold This Month, 755,317 Vehicles Sold This Year) Kia - Down 15.6% (44,302 Vehicles Sold This Month, 546,629 Vehicles Sold This Year) Land Rover - Up 20.2% (6,801 Vehicles Sold This Month, 66,759 Vehicles Sold This Year) Lexus - Down 6.7% (27,118 Vehicles Sold This Month, 269,671 Vehicles Sold This Year) Lincoln - Down 5.5% (8,909 Vehicles Sold This Month, 100,540 Vehicles Sold This Year) Maserati - Down 17.3% (1,141 Vehicles Sold This Month, 12,271 Vehicles Sold This Year) Mazda - Down 2.6% (21,469 Vehicles Sold This Month, 262,577 Vehicles Sold This Year) Mercedes-Benz - Up 1.6% (30,838 Vehicles Sold This Month, 302,043 Vehicles Sold This Year) Mercedes-Benz Vans - Up 27.7% (3,274 Vehicles Sold This Month, 30,947 Vehicles Sold This Year) MINI - Down 10.4% (4,038 Vehicles Sold This Month, 42,494 Vehicles Sold This Year) Mitsubishi - Up 24.8% (8,609 Vehicles Sold This Month, 95,185 Vehicles Sold This Year) Nissan - Porsche - Up 0.8% (5.555 Vehicles Sold This Month, 51,507 Vehicles Sold This Year) Ram Trucks - Down 5% (40,390 Vehicles Sold This Month, 506,914 Vehicles Sold This Year) Smart - Down 76.9% (130 Vehicles Sold This Month, 2,905 Vehicles Sold This Year) Subaru - Up 0.8% (51,721 Vehicles Sold This Month, 584,614 Vehicles Sold This Year) Toyota - Down 2.4% (164,499 Vehicles Sold This Month, 1,941,859 Vehicles Sold This Year) Volkswagen - Down 1.6% (29,207 Vehicles Sold This Month, 309,395 Vehicles Sold This Year) Volvo - Up 1.7% (7,854 Vehicles Sold This Month, 71,828 Vehicles Sold This Year)

Mitsubishi Motors North America - Up 24.8% (8,609 Vehicles Sold This Month, 95,185 Vehicles Sold This Year) Audi of America - Up 12.1% (19,195 Vehicles Sold This Month, 199,534 Vehicles Sold This Year) Jaguar Land Rover North America - Up 9% (9,862 Vehicles Sold This Month, 102,939 Vehicles Sold This Year) American Honda Motor Co. - Up 8.3% (133,156 Vehicles Sold This Month, 1,492,112 Vehicles Sold This Year) Ford Motor Company - Up 6.7% (210,771 Vehicles Sold This Month, 2,344,666 Vehicles Sold This Year) BMW Group U.S. - Up 4.5% (32,087 Vehicles Sold This Month, 313,926 Vehicles Sold This Year) Mercedes-Benz USA - Up 2.2% (34,242 Vehicles Sold This Month, 335,895 Vehicles Sold This Year) Volvo Cars of North America, LLC - Up 1.7% (7,854 Vehicles Sold This Month, 71,828 Vehicles Sold This Year) Porsche Cars North America, Inc. - Up 0.8% (5,555 Vehicles Sold This Month, 51,507 Vehicles Sold This Year) Subaru of America, Inc. - Up 0.8% (51,721 Vehicles Sold This Month, 584,614 Vehicles Sold This Year) Volkswagen of America - Down 1.6% (29,207 Vehicles Sold This Month, 309,395 Vehicles Sold This Year) Mazda North American Operations - Down 2.6% (21,469 Vehicles Sold This Month, 262,577 Vehicles Sold This Year) General Motors Co. - Down 2.9% (245,387 Vehicles Sold This Month, 2,693,702 Vehicles Sold This Year) Toyota Motor North America - Down 3% (191,617 Vehicles Sold This Month, 2,211,530 Vehicles Sold This Year) FCA US LLC - Down 4% (154,919 Vehicles Sold This Month, 1,887,430 Vehicles Sold This Year) Hyundai Motor America - Down 9% (57,211 Vehicles Sold This Month, 621,961 Vehicles Sold This Year) Kia Motors America - Down 15.6% (44,302 Vehicles Sold This Month, 546,629 Vehicles Sold This Year) Maserati North America, Inc. - Down 17.3% (1,141 Vehicles Sold This Month, 12,271 Vehicles Sold This Year) Nissan North America - Brands: Acura - Up 9.5% (12,716 Vehicles Sold This Month, 139,540 Vehicles Sold This Year) Alfa Romeo - Up 6,161% (1,440 Vehicles Sold This Month, 9,997 Vehicles Sold This Year) Audi - Up 12.1% (19,195 Vehicles Sold This Month, 199,534 Vehicles Sold This Year) BMW - Up 7.1% (28,049 Vehicles Sold This Month, 271,432 Vehicles Sold This Year) Buick - Down 3% (17,794 Vehicles Sold This Month, 196,946 Vehicles Sold This Year) Cadillac - Down 12.8% (13,359 Vehicles Sold This Month, 141,136 Vehicles Sold This Year) Chevrolet - Down 1.1% (167,777 Vehicles Sold This Month, 1,859,079 Vehicles Sold This Year) Chrysler - Up 14% (16,510 Vehicles Sold This Month, 171,337 Vehicles Sold This Year) Dodge - Down 15% (28,845 Vehicles Sold This Month, 419,111 Vehicles Sold This Year) Fiat - Down 28% (1,733 Vehicles Sold This Month, 24,754 Vehicles Sold This Year) Ford - Up 7.3% (201,862 Vehicles Sold This Month, 2,244,126 Vehicles Sold This Year) Genesis - Up 36% (1,776 Vehicles Sold This Month, 18,664 Vehicles Sold This Year) GMC - Down 5.8% (46,277 Vehicles Sold This Month, 496,541 Vehicles Sold This Year) Honda - Up 8.2% (120,440 Vehicles Sold This Month, 1,352,572 Vehicles Sold This Year) Hyundai - Down 9.4% (55,435 Vehicles Sold This Month, 603,297 Vehicles Sold This Year) Infiniti - Jaguar - Down 9.5% (3,061 Vehicles Sold This Month, 36,180 Vehicles Sold This Year) Jeep - Down 2% (66,001 Vehicles Sold This Month, 755,317 Vehicles Sold This Year) Kia - Down 15.6% (44,302 Vehicles Sold This Month, 546,629 Vehicles Sold This Year) Land Rover - Up 20.2% (6,801 Vehicles Sold This Month, 66,759 Vehicles Sold This Year) Lexus - Down 6.7% (27,118 Vehicles Sold This Month, 269,671 Vehicles Sold This Year) Lincoln - Down 5.5% (8,909 Vehicles Sold This Month, 100,540 Vehicles Sold This Year) Maserati - Down 17.3% (1,141 Vehicles Sold This Month, 12,271 Vehicles Sold This Year) Mazda - Down 2.6% (21,469 Vehicles Sold This Month, 262,577 Vehicles Sold This Year) Mercedes-Benz - Up 1.6% (30,838 Vehicles Sold This Month, 302,043 Vehicles Sold This Year) Mercedes-Benz Vans - Up 27.7% (3,274 Vehicles Sold This Month, 30,947 Vehicles Sold This Year) MINI - Down 10.4% (4,038 Vehicles Sold This Month, 42,494 Vehicles Sold This Year) Mitsubishi - Up 24.8% (8,609 Vehicles Sold This Month, 95,185 Vehicles Sold This Year) Nissan - Porsche - Up 0.8% (5.555 Vehicles Sold This Month, 51,507 Vehicles Sold This Year) Ram Trucks - Down 5% (40,390 Vehicles Sold This Month, 506,914 Vehicles Sold This Year) Smart - Down 76.9% (130 Vehicles Sold This Month, 2,905 Vehicles Sold This Year) Subaru - Up 0.8% (51,721 Vehicles Sold This Month, 584,614 Vehicles Sold This Year) Toyota - Down 2.4% (164,499 Vehicles Sold This Month, 1,941,859 Vehicles Sold This Year) Volkswagen - Down 1.6% (29,207 Vehicles Sold This Month, 309,395 Vehicles Sold This Year) Volvo - Up 1.7% (7,854 Vehicles Sold This Month, 71,828 Vehicles Sold This Year) View full article

BMW Group U.S. Reports November 2017 Sales BMW Group sales total 32,087 vehicles in November BMW brand sales increase 7.1 percent MINI brand sales decrease 10.4 percent BMW Group Electrified Vehicles Sales total 18,416 YTD Woodcliff Lake, NJ – December 1, 2017… Sales of BMW brand vehicles increased 7.1 percent in November for a total of 28,049 compared to 26,189 vehicles sold in November 2016. Year-to-date, the BMW brand is down 3.2 percent in the U.S. on sales of 271,432 vehicles compared to 280,339 sold in the first 11 months of 2016. Notable vehicle sales in November included the BMW 5 Series, which maintained its momentum and showed strong gains for the fifth straight month, selling 4,002 vehicles. November was also a particularly good month for Sports Activity Vehicles, specifically the BMW X5 and the all-new BMW X3. Sales of the BMW X5 increased 17.5 percent to 5,515 vehicles, while the BMW X3 sold 3,087 vehicles in its first half-month of availability. “November ended in a strong way for us at BMW. This week at the LA Auto Show, we gave everyone a view of what’s to come and now the November sales result has given us the perfect lead-in to what is always the most important sales month of the year, December,” said Bernhard Kuhnt, President and CEO, BMW of North America. “The indicators for the coming months give us optimism especially as the popular new X3 is now launching across the U.S., the new 5 Series continues building momentum, and BMW Group electrified vehicles accounted for nearly 6% of sales in November.” MINI Brand Sales For November, MINI USA reported 4,038 vehicles sold, a decrease of 10.4 percent from the 4,507 sold in the same month a year ago. Year-to-date, MINI USA reported a total of 42,494 vehicles sold, a decrease of 10.3 percent from 47,372 vehicles sold in the first 11 months of 2016. BMW Group Sales In total, the BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) reported November sales of 32,087 vehicles, an increase of 4.5 percent from the 30,696 vehicles sold in the same month a year ago. Year-to-date, BMW Group sales are down 4.2 percent on sales of 313,926 vehicles in the first 11 months of 2017 compared to 327,711 in the same period in 2016. BMW Group Electrified Vehicle Sales Sales of BMW Group electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles increased 27.8 percent to 18,416 through November 2017 (YTD), accounting for 5.9 percent of total BMW Group sales in the U.S. BMW offers six electrified vehicle models in the U.S., including the BMW i3 and BMW i8, as well as the BMW i Performance models: BMW 330e, BMW 530e, BMW 740e and the BMW X5 xDrive 40e. MINI offers the MINI Countryman plug-in-hybrid electric vehicle, which launched in June 2017.

General Motors CEO Mary Barra spoke yesterday at the Barclays Global Automotive Conference in New York. During her talk, Barra said the company expects to make a profit off electric vehicles once they launch their next-generation EV platform. “We are working to provide desirable, obtainable and profitable vehicles that deliver a range of over 300 miles. There’s a lot of really creative things we’re doing to achieve that profitability point for that new platform,” Barra said to investors. The next-generation modular platform, due in 2021 will play a pivotal role in GM's plan to launch 20 all-new electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles by 2023. The platform will help drop the total per-unit cost by 30 percent or more. It will be used across a number of GM brands and various segments. GM is also working on a new battery system that will cut the per-kilowatt-hour from $145 to under $100 by 2021. Before these two launches, GM will be introducing four new EV and hydrogen vehicles. Two of those will be launch by April 2019 according to a GM spokesman. At least two vehicles will be small crossovers according to Automotive News. It is expected the electric models will use the underpinnings of the Chevrolet Bolt. The company has a set a goal of a million electric vehicles by 2026 - with most happening in China due to their strict production quotas for EVs. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required), Reuters

General Motors CEO Mary Barra spoke yesterday at the Barclays Global Automotive Conference in New York. During her talk, Barra said the company expects to make a profit off electric vehicles once they launch their next-generation EV platform. “We are working to provide desirable, obtainable and profitable vehicles that deliver a range of over 300 miles. There’s a lot of really creative things we’re doing to achieve that profitability point for that new platform,” Barra said to investors. The next-generation modular platform, due in 2021 will play a pivotal role in GM's plan to launch 20 all-new electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles by 2023. The platform will help drop the total per-unit cost by 30 percent or more. It will be used across a number of GM brands and various segments. GM is also working on a new battery system that will cut the per-kilowatt-hour from $145 to under $100 by 2021. Before these two launches, GM will be introducing four new EV and hydrogen vehicles. Two of those will be launch by April 2019 according to a GM spokesman. At least two vehicles will be small crossovers according to Automotive News. It is expected the electric models will use the underpinnings of the Chevrolet Bolt. The company has a set a goal of a million electric vehicles by 2026 - with most happening in China due to their strict production quotas for EVs. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required), Reuters View full article

The Toyota Prius V is an odd duck in the Prius family. The wagon/van shape offered buyers more space to carry stuff while returning high fuel economy numbers. But its run in the U.S. will be coming to a close at the end of this year. "After six years and nearly 160,000 units sold in the U.S., the decision was made to end Prius V production for the U.S. and Puerto Rico this December," said Toyota's East Coast communications manager Corey Proffitt to Green Car Reports. Proffitt went on to say the Prius V would continue to be sold in other markets around the world, but it is unclear whether Canada will be part of that or not. Declining sales is the key reason Toyota is pulling the Prius V out of the U.S. 2011: 8,399 2012: 40,669 2013: 34,989 2014: 30,762 2015: 28,290 2016: 14,840 2017 (YTD): 8,299 The reason for the massive drop-off in 2016 is due to Toyota launching the RAV4 Hybrid with sales of 45,000 models. In 2017, Toyota has moved around 41,400 units. Source: Green Car Reports