William Maley

Toyota Motor Sales Reports Increase In September Sales TORRANCE, Calif., (Oct. 2, 2012) – Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today reported September 2012 sales results of 171,910 units, an increase of 41.5 percent compared to the same period last year on both a daily selling rate (DSR) and a raw volume basis, unadjusted for 25 selling days in both September 2012 and in September 2011. The Toyota Division posted September total sales of 151,524 units, an increase of 42.3 percent on a DSR basis from September 2011. On a raw volume basis, Toyota Division sales were also up 42.3 percent from the year-ago month. “The auto industry had another very encouraging month in September,” said Bill Fay, Toyota group vice president and general manager. “Our dealers got off to a great start over Labor Day weekend and that momentum carried through the rest of the month, as Camry continued to stretch its lead as the most popular car in America.” The Lexus Division reported total sales of 20,386 units in September 2012, up 36.0 percent from September 2011 on both a DSR and raw volume basis compared to the same period last year. Toyota Division Toyota Division passenger cars recorded combined monthly sales of 85,642 units, up 47.1 percent from September 2011. Passenger car sales were led by Camry and Camry Hybrid with combined sales of 34,252 units, and Corolla reported September sales of 23,026 units. The Prius family of vehicles posted September sales of 18,932 units. Toyota Division light trucks recorded September sales of 65,882 units, an increase of 36.6 percent compared to the same month last year. Light truck sales were again led by the RAV4 compact SUV and Tacoma mid-size pickup truck, with monthly sales of 13,796 and 12,176, respectively. Highlander and Highlander Hybrid reported combined monthly sales of 10,927 units, and the Tundra full-size pickup reported sales of 9,338 units. Scion posted September sales of 6,743 units, up 75.7 percent on a volume and DSR basis over September 2011. The tC sports coupe led the way with sales of 2,186, up 24.8 percent over the year-ago month, while the recently launched FR-S sports car reported sales of 1,133 units. The XD five-door urban subcompact posted September sales of 942 units, and the xB urban utility vehicle posted September sales of 1,799 units. The all-new iQ premium micro-subcompact posted monthly sales of 683 units. Lexus Division Lexus reported passenger car sales of 12,020 units, up 35.7 percent from September 2011. The ES 350 entry luxury sedan and the first-ever ES Hybrid led Lexus passenger car sales with sales of 6,553 units, while the IS luxury sports sedan reported sales of 2,248 units. The CT 200h premium hybrid compact posted sales of 1,195 units. Lexus luxury utility vehicles recorded sales of 8,366 units, up 36.4 percent over September 2011. Lexus light truck sales were led by the RX and RX Hybrid luxury utility vehicle, which posted combined September sales of 7,046 units. The GX 460 mid-size luxury utility vehicle reported sales of 948 units, while the LX luxury utility vehicle recorded sales of 372 units. TMS Hybrids TMS posted September hybrid vehicle sales of 26,747, an increase of 120.6 percent compared to the same period last year. Toyota Division posted September sales of 23,110 hybrids, while Lexus Division reported sales of 3,637 hybrids for the month. # # # View full article

Subaru of America, Inc. Sets September Sales Record Subaru continues ten month streak of month-over-month sales gains September sales 32% increase over 2011 Year-to-date sales of 245,463 represent a 25 percent increase over 2011 CHERRY HILL, N.J., Oct. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Subaru of America, Inc. today reported sales of 27,683 vehicles for the month of September, a 32 percent increase over September 2011. The company also reported year-to-date sales of 245,463, which represents an impressive 25.5 percent increase over prior year. September sales for newly-refreshed Outback and Legacy models have increased 39 percent and 31 percent, respectively, over September 2011. Also, September sales for Impreza were up 211 percent over September 2011; year-to-date sales for Impreza have increased 155 percent. "Subaru sales continue to rise because we have the right product, the right positioning and a strong retail network," saidThomas J. Doll, executive vice president and COO, Subaru of America, Inc. "XV Crosstrek, the most fuel efficient crossover vehicle in America, has just arrived in showrooms and we know this vehicle will further fuel our sales growth this fall." "With such strong September sales, Subaru is in an excellent position to exceed 300,000 units this year," said Bill Cyphers, senior vice president of sales, Subaru of America, Inc. View full article

Kia Motors America Records Best Third Quarter And 25th Consecutive Monthly Sales Record In September Annual Sales Up 18.4 Percent for the Fastest-Growing Car Company in the U.S. Over the Last Five Years [1] IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Kia Motors America (KMA) is the fastest growing car company in the United States and the brand's unprecedented momentum reached new highs in September, achieving a record third quarter and the 25th consecutive month of record sales, reaching 48,105 units, a 35.1-percent increase over the same period in 2011. September once again saw KMA's U.S.-built* vehicles take the top sales honors. The Optima midsize sedan sold 14,304 units and the Sorento CUV enjoyed sales of 10,066 vehicles. The Soul accounted for 9,467 units sold, bolstered by the recent launch of the "Bringing Down the House" advertising campaign featuring the music-loving Kia hamsters and the dance anthem "In My Mind" (Axwell remix). Lending credibility to the company's significant sales increases, Kia Motors Corporation enters the exclusive list of the "Top 100 Best Global Brands," according to the 2012 study released today by Interbrand, the world's largest brand consultancy agency. Kia's remarkable increase in brand value is now estimated at $4.1 billion, which firmly sets the automaker at 87th on the list. This is a 50 percent increase from last year's estimated brand value and far exceeds the average automotive brand value growth rate of only 11 percent for the year. "Kia's product-led transformation – together with our successful marketing – have elevated Kia's reputation beyond our bedrock commitment to value," said Byung Mo Ahn, group president and CEO of KMA and KMMG. "At Kia, we work to understand the needs and expectations of our customers and work to find new ways to enrich their lives, providing the Kia brand with powerful potential as more new products and technologies are set to arrive in the next 12 months." View full article

NISSAN NORTH AMERICA ANNOUNCES SEPTEMBER SALES FRANKLIN, Tenn. (Oct. 2, 2012) – Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA) today reported September U.S. sales of 91,907 units versus 92,964 units a year earlier, down 1.1 percent. Nissan Division sales decreased 2.4 percent for the month at 82,462 units. Sales of Infiniti vehicles were up 11.4 percent over the prior year, to 9,445 units. NISSAN HIGHLIGHTS Nissan Division posted sales of 82,462 units, down 2.4 percent from last September’s 84,485 units. Sales of the Nissan Rogue crossover rose 12.7 percent to 12,106 units, setting a new volume record for September. Pathfinder SUV sales rose 38.7 percent over a year ago, to 3,205 units, contributing to an overall rise in truck sales of 3.3 percent. Sales of the all-electric Nissan LEAF totaled 984 units, the highest volume for any month in the past 12 months. INFINITI HIGHLIGHTS Infiniti today reported sales of 9,445 units for September, an increase of 11.4 percent from 8,479 units a year earlier. Infiniti FX sales of 1,659 marked an increase of 127.6 percent, with the luxury performance crossover showing an increase of 5.7 percent to 7,462 units for the year. Sales of the new Infiniti JX 7-passenger luxury crossover totaled 2,251 in September, and 14,353 units have been sold since deliveries began in March. Infiniti luxury crossovers and sport utility vehicles had an increase of 107 percent in September, and are up 63.6 percent for year. In total, Infiniti September sales were the best since 2007, and marked five straight months of double-digit increases. NOTE: To ensure consistency in global sales reporting, Nissan North America calculates monthly variances on a straight-percentage basis, unadjusted for the number of selling days. September had 25 selling days both in 2012 and 2011. View full article

BMW Group U.S. Reports September 2012 Sales BMW brand up 4.9 percent year-to-date MINI brand up 16.6 percent year-to-date, best September ever Woodcliff Lake, NJ – October 2, 2012… The BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) reported September sales of 26,660 vehicles, an increase of 3.5 percent from the 25,749 vehicles sold in the same month a year ago. Year-to-date, BMW Group is up 7.1 percent on sales of 234,928 in the first nine months of 2012 compared to 219,314 in the same period in 2011. “The economic indicators and consumer confidence are showing improvement and the traffic in our showrooms is further encouraging our optimism for the fourth quarter of the year as the BMW new model ramp-up continues”, said Ludwig Willisch, President and CEO, BMW of North America, LLC. “The X1 in its first full month is largely sold out and MINI set another sales record; both are strong indicators of what’s to come.” BMW Brand Sales Sales of BMW brand vehicles increased 0.1 percent in September for a total of 21,761 compared to 21,750 vehicles sold in September, 2011. Year-to-date, the BMW brand is up 4.9 percent on sales of 186,397 compared to 177,679 sold in the first nine months of 2011. In September, the X1 SAV in it full sales month, sold 1,570 units. Other best performing vehicles for the month include the 6 Series, up 80.2 percent to 609 units; and the X3 SAV, up 63.7 percent to 3,034 units. BMW Pre-Owned Vehicles In September, sales of BMW used vehicles (including certified pre-owned and pre-owned) increased 3.8 percent to 13,624 vehicles from the 13,129 vehicles sold in September 2011. January through September, BMW used vehicle sales are up 2.6 percent on volume of 122,575 compared to 119,424 in the same period of 2011. MINI Brand Sales MINI USA reported the best September ever with sales of 4,899 automobiles, an increase of 22.5 percent from the 3,999 sold in September, 2011. Year-to-date, MINI sales in the U.S. are up 16.6 percent on volume of 48,531 compared to 41,635 in the first nine months of 2011. View full article

Audi sets all-time U.S. September sales record with 26.5% increase Audi reports 21st consecutive month of record sales; premium category vehicles (A8, A7, A6, and Q7) represent 35.7% of September demand HERNDON, Va., Oct 1, 2012 - Audi today reported its 21st consecutive month of record performance with sales of 12,302 new vehicles representing a 26.5% increase above the old mark set in September 2011. Total Audi sales year-to-date increased 18.5% from last year, with September setting the record for the period January through September, with 100,694 vehicles sold. Audi already has exceeded 100,000 U.S. sales for the third time ever, and September 2012 stands as the third-best month of U.S. sales in Audi of America history. Sales of Audi premium category vehicles (the Audi A8, Audi A7, Audi A6, and Audi Q7) showed no signs of slowing down, with a 35.7% share of total September sales. Audi momentum benefitted strongly from robust demand for the technologically advanced Audi A6, generating a 83.7% sales increase for the month and a 107.5% increase year to date. Audi’s flagship vehicle, the Audi A8 sedan, is up 34.1% and the Audi Q7 luxury SUV also performed favorably with an astounding 94.6% increase for the month. Sales of the updated Audi A4 combined with the new Audi allroad jumped 12.8% in September from a year earlier, while the product improvement for the Audi A5 helped boost its sales 25.6% for the month and 10.9% year-to-date. Furthering the U.S. position as a top market globally for Audi S model performance cars, sales of the Audi performance models accounted for 10.4% of the September’s sales mix. “Our newly expanded lineup of S-model performance cars is delivering strong immediate results,” said Mark Del Rosso, Chief Operating Officer, Audi of America. “This fact, along with increasing demand for our refreshed core models, bodes well for record sales results by year-end and more gains into 2013.” Highlights: • September 2012 ranks as the best September in Audi of America history. • Sales mix for Audi S models finished the month at 15.3% for the S4 and 35.5% for the S5/ RS 5. • Audi A3 sales up 76.8% compared to September 2011; YTD sales grew 14.5% compared to previous period. • Audi A4 sales up 12.8% compared to September 2011; YTD sales grew 10.9% compared to previous period. • Audi A5 sales up 25.6% compared to September 2011; YTD sales grew 10.9% compared to previous period. • Sales of Audi A6 increased 83.7% compared to September 2011; YTD sales up 107.5% compared to previous period. • Sales of the Audi A8 increased 34.1% compared to September 2011. • Sales of Audi Q7 increased 94.6% compared to September 2011; YTD sales up 8.5% compared to previous period. • Sales mix for Audi TDI clean diesel models finish the month at 55.2% for the A3 TDI and 32.4% for Q7 TDI; sales of the Audi A3 TDI increased a solid 90.2% for the month. • For the record-setting month of September 2012, four Audi models recorded year-over-year sales increases of 20% or more, including the Audi A3, Audi A5, Audi A6, Audi A8, and Audi Q7 models. • Audi Certified pre-owned sales of 2,799 vehicles marked a strong finish despite the reduced inventory of available models for the program. View full article

Porsche Reports September Sales up 26 Percent Over 2011 YTD sales increase of 10.37 percent Atlanta – October 2, 2012 – Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA), importer and distributor of Porsche sports cars, Cayenne SUVs and the Panamera four-door sports sedan line-up in the United States, today announced September 2012 sales of 2,736 vehicles. This compares to 2,170 vehicles sold last September, for an increase of 26.08 percent. For the year, Porsche has sold 25,015 cars in the U.S., a 10.37 percent increase over last September’s year-to-date sales of 22,664. Sales of the Porsche Cayenne sport utility increased 47.3 percent for the month versus last September and the Panamera sport sedan was up 17.9 percent over the same period. The Cayenne Diesel, which provides 406 lb.-ft of torque and a range of up to 765 miles on a tank of fuel, accounted for nearly 20 percent of Cayenne sales in September. Porsche Approved Certified Pre-Owned vehicle sales were 871 for September 2012, a 22 percent increase over September 2011. Year-to-date, Porsche has sold 7,370 CPO models, an 11.7 percent increase versus 2011. View full article