Drew Dowdell

It's interesting that the small Asian brands are doing really well while the big ones are flat or down. I take that back as new numbers come in.

The time square thing is more an issue with Tesla service in China than it is with the cars. 45 days to repair would be just as unacceptable in a Camry

Subaru of America Sets New Sales Record with Outback, Forester and Ascent Leading the Charge to Best-Ever April Sales Best April ever – monthly sales increase 7.7 percent over April 2018 89 consecutive months of yearly, month-over-month growth Best April ever for Outback, Forester and Ascent 62 consecutive months of more than 10,000 Outbacks sold 69 consecutive months of more than 10,000 Foresters sold Subaru of America, Inc. today reported 57,288 vehicle sales for April 2019, a 7.7 percent increase compared with April 2018, and the best April in the history of the company. The automaker also reported year-to-date sales of 214,042, a 5.5 percent gain compared with the same period in 2018. April marked the 62nd consecutive month of 40,000+ vehicle sales for the automaker. Outback, Forester and Ascent sales were notably strong as each model achieved its best April ever. Outback posted a 16.3 percent increase, while Forester posted an 8.1 percent increase compared to April 2018. In addition, 6,512 of the all-new 3-row Ascent SUVs were delivered in April. Also in April, Subaru was awarded their fifth consecutive “Most Trusted Brand” award by the Kelley Blue Book Brand Image Awards. Forester and Ascent earned spots on Parents Magazine’s 10 Best Family Cars of 2019. In addition, Ascent made the list of 12 Best New Cars for 2019 from Autotrader. “April saw another Subaru monthly sales record and the reveal of our all-new 2020 Subaru Outback at the New York International Auto Show, both strong indicators of a record sales year to come,” said Thomas J. Doll. “And thanks to the amazing efforts of our retailers, both the current Outback and new Forester maintained a very strong sales pace in a highly competitive marketplace.” “Thanks to our retailer network, we are able to count April as another win in a highly competitive industry,” said Jeff Walters, Senior Vice President of Sales. “We’re thrilled to receive Kelley Blue Book’s ‘Most Trusted Brand’ for a fifth consecutive year as it recognizes our commitment to our customers, as well as to providing drivers with the safest, most capable vehicles in the market.” Carline Apr-19 Apr-18 % Chg Apr-19 Apr-18 % Chg MTD MTD MTD YTD YTD YTD Forester 14,782 13,679 8.1% 55,438 50,783 9.2% Impreza 4,819 5,833 -17.4% 18,598 22,287 -16.6% WRX/STI 2,197 2,663 -17.5% 8,400 9,854 -14.8% Ascent 6,512 0 0.0% 25,585 0 0.0% Legacy 2,991 4,234 -29.4% 11,210 14,730 -23.9% Outback 16,381 14,083 16.3% 58,189 58,205 -0.0% BRZ 287 412 -30.3% 1,106 1,286 -14.0% Crosstrek 9,319 12,266 -24.0% 35,516 45,728 -22.3% TOTAL 57,288 53,170 7.7% 214,042 202,873 5.5%

Toyota is down 40,000 units just year to date!

Quarterly: Ford Motor Company - Not reported General Motors Co. - Not Reported Tesla - Not Reported FCA has announced that beginning October 2019, they will be reporting sales quarterly Monthly: Audi of America - Down 21% for the month, Down 8.7% for the year BMW of North America - Down 2.9% for the month, Down 2.1% for the year FCA US LLC - Down 6% for the month, Down 4% for the year Genesis Motor America - Honda Motor Co. - Up 0.1% for the month, Up 1.5% for the year Hyundai Motor America - Up 0.7% for the month, Up 1.7% for the year Jaguar Land Rover North America - Kia Motors America - Up 1.6% for the month, Up 5.9% for the year Mazda North American Operations - Down 14.5% for the month, Down 15.4% for the year Mercedes-Benz USA - Down 14.6% for the month, Down 10.7% for the year Mitsubishi Motors North America - Down 12.9% for the month, Up 12% for the year Nissan Group - Up 9.0% for the month, Down 8.4% for the year Porsche Cars North America Inc. - Subaru of America, Inc. - Up 7.7% for the month, Up 5.5% for the year Toyota Motor North America - Down 4.4% for the month, Down 4.8% for the year Volkswagen of America - Up 8.7% for the month, Up 3.9% for the year Volvo Cars of North America, LLC - Up 0.4% for the month, Up 7.1% for the year Brands (Quarterly): Buick - Not Reported Cadillac - Not Reported Chevrolet - Not Reported GMC - Not Reported Ford - Not Reported Lincoln - Not Reported Tesla - Not Reported Brands (Monthly): Acura - Down 1.7% - 11,687 MTD / 48,072 YTD Alfa Romeo - Down 14% - 1,584 MTD / 5,870 YTD Audi - Down 21% 15,024 MTD / 63,139 YTD BMW - Up 1.4% - 23,816 MTD / 97,704 YTD Chrysler - Down 37% - 9,987 MTD / 40,578 YTD Dodge - Down 24% - 31,262 MTD / 141,779 YTD Fiat - Down 34% - 931 MTD / 3,145 YTD Genesis - Honda - Up 0.2% - 114,088 MTD / 447,490 YTD Hyundai - Up 0.7% - 55,420 MTD / 203,005 YTD Infiniti - Down 5.2% - 8,491 MTD / 42,806 YTD Jaguar - Jeep - Down 8% - 76,325 MTD / 289,129 YTD Kia - Up 1.6% - 51,385 MTD / 187,981 YTD Land Rover - Lexus - Down 1.3 - 21,360 MTD / 88,151 YTD Mazda - Down 14.5% - 19,702 MTD / 90,535 YTD Mercedes-Benz - Down 15.7% 22,949 MTD / 94,120 YTD Mercedes-Benz Vans - Down 4.7% - 2,682 MTD / 10,158 YTD MINI - Down 29.8% - 2,621 MTD / 11,526 YTD Mitsubishi - Down 12.9% - 6963 MTD / 49,030 YTD Nissan - Up 10.7% - 87,207 MTD / 418,743 YTD Porsche - Ram Trucks - Up 25% - 53,811 MTD / 190,824 YTD Smart - Down 8.6% - 85 MTD / 316 YTD Subaru - Up 7.7% - 57,288 MTD / 214,042 YTD Toyota - Down 4.8% - 162,506 MTD / 639,431 YTD Volkswagen - Up 8.7% - 31,309 MTD / 117,181 YTD Volvo - Up 0.4% - 8,367 MTD / 30,425 YTD View full article

Toyota Motor North America Reports April 2019 Sales RAV4 sales up 10.1 percent; a best-ever April Tacoma up 8.3 percent; a best-ever April and the 18th consecutive month of increased sales Corolla Hatchback sales increased 14.2 percent; a best-ever April NXh sales up 13.0 percent; a best-ever April and the 19th consecutive best-ever month PLANO, Texas (May 1, 2019) – Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) today reported April 2019 sales of 183,866 vehicles, a decrease of 4.4 percent on a volume basis and a decrease of 8.2 percent on a daily selling rate (DSR) basis versus April 2018. Toyota division posted April sales of 162,506 units, down 4.8 percent on a volume basis and down 8.6 percent on a DSR basis. Lexus division posted April sales of 21,360 vehicles, down 1.3 percent on a volume basis and down 5.3 percent on a DSR basis. April 2019 Highlights Tacoma up 8.3 percent; a best-ever April, with 18 consecutive months of increased sales Toyota light trucks marked a best-ever April, with 102,074 in sales RAV4 sales up of 10.1 percent; a best-ever April Corolla Hatchback sales increased 14.2 percent; a best-ever April Yaris sales up 21.6 percent Mirai sales increased 165.8 percent; a best-ever April LX sales up 4.9 percent ES sales increased by 8.7 percent NXh sales up 13.0 percent; a best-ever April and the 19th consecutive best-ever month RXh sales increased 30.4 percent Lexus Hybrid sales up 60.9 percent Note: Unless otherwise stated, all figures reflect unadjusted raw sales volume

MITSUBISHI MOTORS REPORTS APRIL 2019 SALES CYPRESS, Calif. – Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA), the fastest-growing Asian brand in the U.S. for the second consecutive year1, today reported April 2019 sales of 6,963 vehicles. Calendar year to date sales through the end of April stood at 49,030 vehicles, representing a year-over-year increase of 12% compared to the same period in 2018, and the brand's best calendar year-to-date sales since 2004. April 2019 sales were down 13% over April 2018. News and Notes: Outlander total volume was up 5% year-over-year. Eclipse Cross total volume was up more than 40% year-over-year, marking the vehicle's best-ever April. Mirage and Mirage G4, the most fuel-efficient gasoline-powered non-hybrid vehicle currently available in America2, continue to buck the consumer trend away from sedans and small passenger cars, with total volume up 8.5% year-over-year. APR YTD 2019 2018 2019 2018 Mirage 2004 2069 8246 7601 Lancer3 0 441 0 2503 Outlander Sport 1468 2286 13925 15716 Outlander 2408 2266 16148 15365 Outlander PHEV 163 273 794 1269 Eclipse Cross 920 655 9917 1308 Total 6963 7990 49030 43762

MAZDA REPORTS APRIL SALES RESULTS May 1, 2019 IRVINE, Calif. (May 1, 2019) – Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today reported total April sales of 19,702 vehicles, a decrease of 14.5 percent compared to April 2018. Year-to-date sales through April saw a decrease of 15.4 percent, with 90,535 vehicles sold. With 25 selling days in April, compared to 24 the year prior, the company posted a decrease of 18 percent on a Daily Selling Rate (DSR) basis. CPO sales totaled 5,195 vehicles in April, an increase of 27 percent compared to April 2018. Year-to-date CPO sales through April increased 20 percent, with 19,052 vehicles sold. Mazda Motor de Mexico (MMdM) reported its best ever April with monthly sales of 4,295 vehicles, an increase of 2 percent compared to April last year. Year-to-date sales through April increased 18 percent, with 20,484 vehicles sold.

FCA US Reports April 2019 Sales; Quarterly Reporting of Sales to Start in Q3 Jeep® Grand Cherokee and Jeep Compass post new April sales records Ram pickup notches best April ever as sales rise 25 percent Overall Ram brand sales reach new high FCA US to report sales quarterly starting Oct. 1 May 1, 2019 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - FCA US LLC notched four U.S. sales records for April, highlighting consumer demand for the company’s brands despite continued softness within the industry. FCA sold 172,900 vehicles in the month compared to 184,149 vehicles for the same period a year earlier. Retail sales accounted for 129,382 vehicles and fleet accounted for 25 percent of total sales. On a year-to-date basis, fleet accounted for 27 percent of total sales. The Jeep® Compass and Jeep Grand Cherokee both reported April records as sales rose 10 percent and 23 percent, respectively. This was the second consecutive month Grand Cherokee set a record monthly high. The Ram brand achieved its fourth consecutive month of record sales for the year, as April sales rose 25 percent to 53,811 vehicles. Ram pickup sales also had their second consecutive month of record sales with 49,106 vehicles sold. "April marks the start of the spring selling season and we anticipate strong consumer spending as we move through May,” U.S Head of Sales Reid Bigland said. "The industry may be shaking off the first-quarter sluggishness, but shoppers are coming into showrooms and buying. We sold more than 300 Jeep Gladiators, which are now starting to arrive in showrooms across the country, and we expect our Gladiator count to continue to rise, reflecting both ongoing demand and the fulfillment of the 4,190 orders taken in early April for the 2020 Gladiator Launch Edition." See the attached table for the breakdown of brand and nameplate sales.

American Honda Announces April Sales Results May 1, 2019 Civic continues to lead U.S. passenger car sales, driven by strong retail performance Honda truck sales rise 2.7% in April as Passport adds strength and CR-V and Pilot maintain momentum Acura trucks also gain, with RDX surging 17.3% on the way to an overall increase of 6.2% for the month American Honda Total 125,775 +0.1% Cars 57,452 -3.4% Trucks 68,323 +3.1% Total 114,088 +0.2% Cars 54,030 -2.4% Trucks 60.058 +2.7% Total 11,687 -1.7% Cars 3,433 -16.6% Trucks 8,265 +6.2%

Why is infiniti's infotainment system still so bad? It's among the worst

Yeah, because the technology hasn't evolved at all. People are buying Tesla, they're outselling Mercedes and BMW. No, 59 units difference is basically flat.

I don't see why people buy the Bolt... but people still do.

It's not that it was priced too high for the market. It's that they were only building the expensive trims first. It's the same mistake that GM made with the first gen SRX, they built a bunch of high option V8 models and very few V6 models, when it was the lower end that customers wanted at first. You're right though about the QX50. There is nothing special about it. Their variable compression turbo 4 didn't leave me thinking it was any better than a regular turbo 4.... and in fact it was noticeably less refined.

Making it an all electric with such a tiny range really extra double dog did them in. 58 miles is pathetic. Electric lawnmowers run longer than that.

You'd probably like a Maxima.

Recliner charging?

The QX50 was billed as the most important product in Infiniti's lineup this decade, however sales have not met expectations. Year to date sales through March for the QX50 were just 3,583 units. This contrasts starkly with the 12,830 units the larger and more expensive QX60 moved in the same time frame. President of Infiniti Christian Meunier blamed the weak sales on a poor launch of the car due to production issues and a mix of product positioned too high in the market. Infiniti is in the process of correcting the error with a new trim level and more options on the lower trim levels. The Infiniti QX50 is assembled at a new plant in Aguascalientes, Mexico run as a join venture between Nissan Motor Company and Daimler. The plant has suffered from quality control issues and other production problems. Infiniti expect sales of the QX50 to turn around during the summer once the supply chain issues are sorted. View full article

@smk4565's goal posts are elusive, hard to pin down creatures.

I wonder if they'll do full-size or mid-size.

Fresh on the news that Ford invested $500 million into electric truck startup Rivian in order to gain access to the startup's EV platform, General Motors CE) Mary Barra confirmed that General Motors is working on an EV pickup of their own. This was during an investors earnings call when Barra said GM has "an industry-leading truck franchise as well as EV capability" and that the company "would not cede our leadership on either front". Talks between Rivian and GM were rumored to have broken down over GM's insistence that they have exclusive access to the platform. If that is the case, then there is a possibility that Ford may not be the only manufacturer other than Rivian to use the skateboard platform. Any EV from GM will likely use GM's new BEV3 platform that it plans to unveil in 2021. GM plans for at least 20 all-electric or fuel-cell vehicles by 2023. View full article

Apparently Rivian wants to put chargers in "active lifestyle" locations.... so parking for trail heads, ski resorts, stuff like that. Places where you go and stay a while anyway so you don't mind if your vehicle is nursing on the grid while you head down a black diamond.