Sales Volume Fun

There are a few articles (Autoblog) tooling around the information superhighway about automotive sales volumes for 2006, broken into individual models. I've always thought it was strange to pick out certain models like that since many companies (that is, the domestics) sell mechanically similar cars under different names (for example the Chevrolet Malibu and Pontiac G6). Therefore, I've compiled a list of compact, midsize and large car sales volumes from some of the major manufacturers. I've left out any overt luxury cars, since that's a different story from the mainstream offerings. The data was gathered from the Automotive Information Center for sedans, coupes and wagons. Here you go:

• Toyota
• small (Yaris, Corrolla (incl Matrix), xA, xB, tC) 630730
• midsize (Camry, Prius) 555416
• large (Avalon) 88938
  

• Honda
  
• small (Fit, Civic, Insight) 345294
• midsize (Accord) 354441
• large 0
  

• GM
  
• small (Aveo, Cobalt, Ion, Vibe) 416956
• midsize (Malibu, G6, Aura) 341243
• large (Impala, Grand Prix, Monte Carlo, LaCrosse) 503687
  

• Ford
  
• small (Focus) 177006
• midsize (Fusion, Milan, Taurus, Mustang) 519688
• large (Five Hundred, Crown Victoria, Grand Marquis, Montego) 224214
  

In many cases these categories involve one platform for many cars, such as GM's midsize entries, though others clearly combine disparate designs (e.g. Ford, with the Fusion, Taurus and Mustang in the midsize category). However, I've included all the cars sold in the size class to even out the companies' marketing strategies. To that end, I think it's interesting to see GM selling almost as many midsize cars as Honda by using three closely related models. (We'll also see how the Aura does as it gets a full year of sales in 2007, likely adding more to GM's total here.) Moreover, GM clearly owns the large car market with the W-body platform cars (i.e. the ones listed). Some may call these midsize, but they are routinely compared with large cars (Car and Driver). They certainly are a step up in size, if not in price. On the other hand, Toyota clearly wins in the small car category and follows a multi-model strategy similar to GM.

NAIAS

For my annual post on the North American International Auto Show, I've snapped a few photos of my favorite (and not-so-favorite) automobiles. They're included below, along with snappy commentary in (mostly) grammatically correct sentence structures. Enjoy!

First up is my favorite car of the show, the Chevrolet Volt. I'm a nerd, so the advanced drivetrain is right up my alley. Also, I'm impatient, so the ready to be mass-produced quality is music to my ears. This is very similar to the request I made when reports of this car first surfaced a couple months ago. I hope they make it soon.

I was also impressed by the car below, the Mazda Ryuga. The organic flowing shape is modern and yet conveys a classic car look in the fenders. And dig the texturing on the sides. I love it.

Next up is the Acura sports car below, essentially the replacement for the NSX. As Car and Driver have pointed out, a shift has been made to a front engine, GT style people mover (the NSX being mid-engined). Though I like the looks of this concept, nothing is a done deal in that super competitive class, and we'll have to wait to see how this pans out for Acura.


Finally, I have to comment on a car many are hailing as one of the most important cars at the show and a huge positive for GM, the new Chevrolet Malibu. The looks have been roundly praised, with many saying it looks even better in person. I'm here to tell you it doesn't, and I wasn't impressed at all. Maybe all the hype got me too excited, but I thought it was dull looking, especially the somehow Passat-esque rear end treatment. I'll reserve my final judgment until I see them on the road however.