2011 Auto Sales

CHRYSLER +26%
Chrysler capped a remarkable comeback year with another big increase in December (+36%), suggesting that they've got momentum. All four brands were up over last year, lead by Jeep. Fiat, however, so far has not met expectations. Chrysler +12%
Winners
200 +126% (vs. Sebring)
300 -2% (but December sales were 3x last year's)
Loser
Town & Country -16% Dodge +18%
Winners
Avenger +26%
Charger -7% (but like the 300, December was better than 3x last year)
Durango (now outselling the Journey)
Loser
Caliber -22% Jeep +44%
Winners
Compass +200%
Grand Cherokee +51%
Patriot +42%
Liberty +35%
Wrangler +30%
Losers
None Ram +21%
Winner
Ram +23%
Loser
Dakota -7%

---

AMERICAN HONDA -7%
Honda finished the year down 7%, exactly the same as Toyota. The two were the most severely affected by the disaster in Japan. Disappointingly, Honda saw sales fall even more sharply in December (-19%), suggesting that the company's difficulties may continue into the new year. Acura continues to struggle, while Honda has to be unhappy with the reception granted the new Civic. However, there are reasons for optimism, including a new CR-V that is just arriving and a redesigned Accord coming this fall. Honda -7%
Winners
Pilot +14%
Fit +9%
CR-V +7%
Losers
Ridgeline -40%
Insight -26%
Accord -19%
Civic -15% Acura -8%
Winner
RDX +2% (obviously, we're reaching here)
Losers
ZDX -52% (fewer than 100 sold in December)
RL -46% (see above)
TL, MDX -8%

---

HYUNDAI-KIA +27%
The Korean juggernaut rolled on in 2011, unscathed by the natural disaster in Japan (and perhaps even helped by it), but mostly moving forward powered by a stream of well-received new models. Hyundai +20%
Winners
Elantra +41%
Tucson +19%
Sonata +15%
Loser
Santa Fe -3% Kia +36%
Winners
Optima +209%
Sportage +99%
Soul +52%
Sorento +20%
Loser
Rio -18% (but new model was +128% in December)

---

NISSAN NORTH AMERICA +15%
Nissan largely escaped the aftermath of the Japanese disaster, although Infiniti division was affected. The Altima hit a high note, outselling the Honda Accord and taking the #4 spot among all nameplates. Infiniti -5%
Winner
QX +13%
Losers
EX -28%
M -26%
FX -5% Nissan +17%
Winners
Frontier +28% (who saw that coming?)
Sentra +22% (see above)
Pathfinder +21% (and again)
Rogue +25%
Altima +17%
Leaf (outsold the Volt)
Losers
Cube -37%
370Z -28%
Xterra -11%
Titan -6%