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