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