International Nameplate Automobile Dealers Announce Monthly Sales

Sales Steady in February

Alexandria, VA--March 4, 2013:

AutoData Corp. estimated the seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) at 15.38 million units, versus 14.5 million units one year ago. Sales for all brands, unadjusted for business days, were up 3.7 percent from January 2012, and 14.3 percent from January 2013.

Despite some serious economic headwinds, auto sales were steady in February. Higher social security taxes, the sequestration battle in Washington, and rising gas prices couldn’t prevent Americans from buying new vehicles last month. In total, manufacturers sold 1,192,249 vehicles in February. Toyota’s Toyota, Scion, and Lexus brands were up 4.3 percent, Hyundai’s sales were up 2.3 percent, and Volkswagen’s brands were up 8.4 percent. Honda sales fell 2.3 percent, and Nissan sales were down 7.2 percent . Ford and GMC saw sales rise 10.9 and 9.8 percent, respectively, primarily on the strength of truck purchases.

“Sales were solid, if not spectacular, in February,” said AIADA President Cody Lusk. “Last month’s results show us that the auto industry’s growth is stable, and capable of withstanding some economic speed bumps.”

In February, international brands accounted for 636,912 units sold, up from 567,313 in January. Asian nameplates occupied 44.3 percent, down slightly from 44.8 percent in January. European nameplates took a 9.1 percent share, down from 9.6 percent in January. Domestics improved their market share from 45.6 percent in January to 46.6 percent in February.