Major automakers today reported hybrid models and fuel-sipping small cars were snapped up in May, while sales of trucks, SUVs and luxury vehicles mostly languished. The top seller for the month was the Honda Civic, at 53,299 units
For the first time, the Civic and Honda's Accord, as well as the Toyota Corolla and Camry, each outsold Ford Motor Co.'s F-Series pickups. For May, Corolla sales totaled 52,826; Camry sales were 51,291; Accord sales were 43,728 and F-Series sales were 42,973, as reported by the automakers.
Ford Group Vice President of Marketing and Communications Jim Farley described the drop in pickup sales and boost in car sales as "a sign of the times," in a conference call with reporters, adding that it was a "significant development" for the industry.
Ford said overall May U.S. sales dropped 16 percent compared with the same month a year ago, despite stronger demand for smaller sedans like the Focus and Fusion. Sales of Ford's iconic F-series pickup trucks, however, were off 30 percent compared with a year ago. Ford plans to introduce a new version of the F-150 this fall.
American Honda Motor Co. Inc. was among the few automakers reporting robust May gains. Honda said it sold 167,997 units for the month -- up more than 15 percent from 145,367 a year ago.
Gainers included the Fit, Accord and Civic models, all of which posted double-digit sales gains.
"The dramatic increase in car sales appears to be one of the most profound shifts in automotive buying patterns in more than a decade," said Dick Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda. |
