November Auto Sales: Compact Sales Climb in Otherwise Slow Market
November 28, 2007

SANTA MONICA -- This month's new vehicle sales (fleet and retail) are expected to be 1.2 million units, virtually unchanged from November 2006 and 2.5 percent below October 2007, according to Edmunds.com.

"Given the industry trends, we have adjusted our year-end forecast," stated Jesse Toprak, Edmunds’ executive director of Industry Analysis. “We now expect 2007 sales to total 16.13 million units, and predict that no more than 16 million cars and light trucks will be sold in 2008."

Edmunds’ analysis of vehicle segments indicates that compact cars and compact SUVs are achieving the most growth in November, while minivans and large cars are flailing. Consumers apparently are now looking for maximum functionality in smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles, and the automakers that have put together the most compelling packages for them are the only players winning in today’s game.

The combined monthly U.S. market share for Chrysler, Ford and General Motors domestic nameplates is estimated to be 51.2 percent in November 2007, down from 53.2 percent in November 2006 and down from 52.5 percent in October 2007.

Edmunds.com predicts the following company-by-company sales:

Chrysler will sell 146,000 units in November 2007, down 11.2 percent compared to November 2006 but up 0.6 percent from October 2007. This would result in a new car market share of 12.2 percent for Chrysler in November 2007, down from 13.8 percent in November 2006 and up from 11.8 percent in October 2007.

Ford will sell 176,000 units in November 2007, unchanged compared to November 2006 and down 7.6 percent from October 2007. This would result in a market share of 14.7 percent of new car sales in November 2007 for Ford, down slightly from 14.8 percent in November 2006 and down from 15.5 percent in October 2007.

GM will sell 290,000 units in November 2007, down 1.3 percent compared to November 2006 and down 5.7 percent from October 2007. GM's market share is expected to be 24.3 percent of new vehicle sales in November 2007, down from 24.6 percent in November 2006 and down from 25.1 percent in October 2007.

Honda will sell 115,000 units in November 2007, up 8.1 percent from November 2006 and unchanged from October 2007. Its market share is expected to be 9.6 percent in November 2007, up from 8.9 percent in November 2006 and up slightly from 9.4 percent in October 2007.

Nissan will sell 83,000 units in November 2007, up 9.5 percent from November 2006 and down 2.0 percent from October 2007. Nissan's market share is expected to be 7.0 percent in November 2007, up from 6.4 percent in November 2006 and up slightly from 6.9 percent in October 2007.

Toyota will sell 199,000 units in November 2007, up 1.2 percent from November 2006 and up 0.7 percent from October 2007. Toyota's market share is expected to be 16.6 percent in November 2007, up slightly from 16.5 percent in November 2006 up from 16.1 percent in October 2007.

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