US Automakers Find That Recent Sales Bubble Was Only Due To Lack Of Japanese Supply

Japanese automakers roared back in July while Ford and General Motors lost ground, in part because of fewer sales to rental companies and other fleet buyers.

Sales increased 45% at Honda and 26% at Toyota in July from a year earlier when both companies were struggling to rebuild supply chains and supply their dealerships with vehicles following an earthquake in Japan that crippled production in Japan and North America.

At GM and Ford, by contrast, sales declined 6.4% and 3.8%, respectively, for the month. Chrysler posted a healthy 12.6% increase, showing that it has more momentum than its domestic rivals.

Designer1 - 8/2/2012 11:46:35 AM

+6 Boost

Surprise surprise.

markmdr - 8/2/2012 12:42:12 PM

0 Boost

Why no comments from the Japanese brands regarding their fleet sales?
They have been aggressive in pursuing fleets to recover their volume.

Agent009 - 8/2/2012 1:45:53 PM

+2 Boost

One would think you would make up for lost ground on all fronts. But GM saw drastic decreases in fleet sales last month. They had to go somewhere.

ghosthunter - 8/2/2012 1:47:41 PM

+5 Boost

as someone who travels 70% of time and use rental cars all the time, the new face i saw in the fleet is VW and subaru

vdiv - 8/2/2012 1:54:56 PM

+3 Boost

And the face continuing to miss from the rental fleet is Honda.

wins555 - 8/3/2012 1:59:41 AM

+1 Boost

Obvious.