| Brand new year calls for an analysis of | | | | vehicles, 7.9 percent down compared to |
| the previous year's performance for the | | | | 2005 sales. For the month of December, |
| benefit of improvement. In the | | | | Ford vehicle sales was down by 12.8 |
| automotive industry, Toyota and Honda | | | | percent - 9.9 percent for cars and 14.0 |
| stand on the bright side of 2006. Said | | | | for trucks. |
| automakers experienced a rewarding | | | | On the bright side of 2006, Toyota and |
| increase in sales. On the contrary, GM | | | | Honda enjoy a gratifying increase in |
| and Ford stand on the bleak abyss of the | | | | sales. Toyota's sales were up by over 12 |
| industry because of sales doldrums. | | | | percent in December and for the entire |
| GM reported US sales of 4.1 million | | | | year. Consumers purchased 2.54 million |
| vehicles in 2006, down by 8.7 percent | | | | cars and trucks with the Toyota, Scion |
| from 2005. The decrease is attributed to | | | | or Lexus brand name. Leading Toyota |
| the shift of market demand in favor of | | | | sales is its Camry that retains its |
| small cars. GM is famed for its | | | | title as the best-selling car in |
| sophisticated sport utility vehicles and | | | | America. There are 448,445 Camrys sold |
| pickups. Enthusiasts believe that 2005 | | | | in 2006, about 3.9 percent up from 2005 |
| GMC truck accessories are manufactured | | | | sales. 05 Toyota Camry accessories are |
| with excellence just like other auto | | | | playing significant part in making the |
| parts from the automaker. | | | | vehicle a top-seller. |
| Paul Ballew, chief sales analyst of GM | | | | Jim Lentz, executive vice president for |
| said, "It was a challenging one. It's a | | | | Toyota Motor Sales USA said, "2006 was a |
| year that came in below expectations and | | | | respectable year for the industry if you |
| deviated from our plans at the start of | | | | consider the strain of erratic fuel |
| the year." In December, GM reported a 13 | | | | prices and a housing bubble on an |
| percent drop in sales. According to the | | | | industry weaning itself from |
| automaker the decline was due in part to | | | | incentives." |
| sticking with GM's decision to lower | | | | With regards to Honda, its December |
| rental fleet vehicles sales and other | | | | sales fell by 0.8 percent but its 2005 |
| marginally profitable sales. Ford parts | | | | sales were up by 3.2 percent. According |
| accessories did not show any luring | | | | to Dick Colliver, executive vice |
| effect. According to some enthusiasts, | | | | president of American Honda, the |
| Ford's 2006 reports aren't likely to | | | | automaker has benefited from having a |
| help the ailing automaker. | | | | line-up of fuel-efficient vehicles. |
| Ford also reported sales of 2.9 million | | | | |