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Honda Reports March Sales

American Honda Motor Co., Inc., today reported March 2012 monthly new-vehicle sales of 126,999, a decrease of 8.4% over March 2011, based on the daily selling rate*. The Honda Division posted March 2012 sales of 115,833, a decrease of 7.7% year-over-year. Honda's year-over-year decline is in reference to an exceptionally strong sales month in March 2011.

The all-new 2012 Honda CR-V continued its record-setting sales pace, up 35.3% from last year and posting an all-time monthly sales record of 30,868 sales compared to last year's total of 21,998 units.

“We knew we had a home run with the all-new CR-V," said John Mendel, American Honda executive vice president of sales. "And to launch it right as our supply chain is refilling means that we are competing in earnest in a growing market. The CR-V has historically been a sales leader in its segment, and the success of this all-new vehicle tells us that we've again hit a real sweet spot for consumers.”

The Acura Division's March sales totaled 11,166, down 14.6% compared to March 2011. The TSX model registered a double-digit sales increase, up 15.1% from the same period last year to 3,355 units. Sales of the TL sales reached 2,923, a year-over-year decrease of 29.4%.

*The daily selling rate (DSR) is calculated with 28 days for March 2012 and 27 days for March 2011. Year-to-date, the DSR is calculated with 77 days for 2012 and 75 days for 2011. All percentages reflect DSR.

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BMW Sales

he BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) reported March sales of 29,806 vehicles, an increase of 13 percent from the 26,382 vehicles sold in the same month a year ago. Year-to-date, the BMW Group (BMW and MINI combined) achieved its best 1st quarter sales since the record year of 2007 retailing 75,729 vehicles, up 16.6 percent compared to 64,957 vehicles sold in the 1st 3 months of 2011.

"The 1st Quarter record affirmed our increasing sales momentum and shows that customers feel more confident about the future," said Ludwig Willisch, President and CEO, BMW of North America. "The year is still young and BMW alone will introduce in 2012 more new and refreshed models in the U.S. than it ever has before in any 1 year making us strongly optimistic about the months ahead."

BMW Brand Sales

Sales of BMW brand vehicles increased 18 percent in March for a total of 23,940 compared to 20,295 vehicles sold in March, 2011. Year-to-date, the BMW brand is up 17 percent on sales of 61,549 compared to 52,616 sold in the 1st 3 months of 2011.

In March, best performing vehicles included the X5 SAV up 41.3 percent to 2,841 units; the 5 Series, up 21.4 percent to 5,451 units; the 6 Series, up 1,050 percent to 759 units and the 7 Series, up 24.6 percent to 1,280 units.

BMW Pre-Owned Vehicles

In March, sales of BMW used vehicles (including certified pre-owned and pre-owned) increased 10.2 percent to 16,278 vehicles from the 14,773 vehicles sold in March 2011. January through March, BMW used vehicle sales are up 5.4 percent on volume of 41,351 compared to 39,214 in the same period of 2011.

MINI Brand Sales

MINI USA reported sales of 5,866 automobiles in March, a decrease of 3.6 percent from the 6,087 sold in March 2011. Year-to-date, MINI achieved its best 1st quarter sales since the record year of 2011 retailing 14,180 vehicles, up 14.9 percent compared to 12,341 vehicles sold in the 1st 3 months of 2011.

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MB Highest 1st Quarter Ever

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) today reported a record March with sales of 23,134 for its Mercedes-Benz models, a 7.7 % improvement over March 2011 leading to the highest 1st quarter volume on record with sales of 61,513, up 15.3%. Combined sales of Mercedes-Benz passenger vehicles, smart and Sprinter for the month totaled 25,508, up 13.1%, and for the year-to-date 66,906, up 19.5 %.

"With the combination of strong sales performance in our volume model lines and a whole new generation of Mercedes-Benz products in the pipeline, we are ideally positioned to take advantage of the strengthening market and take the brand to new places," said Steve Cannon, president and CEO of MBUSA.

Sales for the month of March were led by the C-, E-, and M-Class model lines. The sporty C-Class - the gateway to the Mercedes-Benz brand on the car side for younger and first-time Mercedes-Benz buyers - took the lead with sales of 6,342 and the 9th generation E-Class followed with sales of 5,570. MBUSA's top-selling SUV, the M-Class, rounded out the top three with sales of 4,070 up 45.8% compared to March 2011. Other strong performers were the company's popular new CLS four-door coupe which saw 242.9% growth and the SLK roadster which increased 179.3% over March 2011. The SLS AMG supercar retailed 123 for the month, up 20.6%.

On a year-to-date basis, top performers again were the C-Class with 18,107 (up 19.2%) the E-Class with 13,873 and the M-Class with 11,480 (up 59.4%).

Amidst rising gas prices, diesel sales increased to 1,601, up 55.6% over the same period last year (1,029) and up 65.4% for the year. On the other end of the spectrum, total AMG sales were 702, up 77.3% versus March 2011 (396) and up 62.2% for the year.

The company's smart brand continued five consecutive months of sales increases with March sales of 999 vehicles, a 135% jump for the month (compared to the 425 vehicles sold in March 2011). The March volume is the highest on record for smart since MBUSA assumed responsibility in July 2011 and brings the year-to-date volume to 2,264, up 79 percent.

On the van side, sales of Sprinter Vans also saw strong momentum in March with sales of 1,375 - up 29.5% over last year and up 18.1% on a year-to-date basis.

Separately, through the Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned (MBCPO) program, MBUSA sold 6,994 vehicles in March; a -3.3% decrease when compared to March 2011 (sales of 7,236 vehicles). On a year-to-date basis, MBCPO sold 19,924 vehicles, an increase of 2.0% over the comparable period (with sales of 19,538).

About Mercedes-Benz USA

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA), headquartered in Montvale, New Jersey, is responsible for the distribution, marketing and customer service for all Mercedes-Benz and Maybach products in the United States. MBUSA offers drivers the most diverse line-up in the luxury segment with 12 model lines ranging from the sporty C-Class to the flagship S-Class sedans and the SLS AMG supercar.

MBUSA is also responsible for the distribution, marketing and customer service of Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Vans in the US. More information on MBUSA and its products can be found at www.mbusa.com and www.mbsprinterusa.com .

rogers2

1SICKLEX it's obvious what a lot people did with their tax returns.

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Mazda Reports Best Total Monthly Sales Since March 2008

Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today reported March U.S. sales of 32,376 vehicles, representing an increase of 4.8 percent versus last year and best total month of sales since March 2008. Year-to-date sales through March are up 27.1 percent (23.8 percent DSR) versus last year, with 82,023 vehicles sold.

Key March sales notes:

The all-new 2013 Mazda CX-5 compact crossover SUV, named "2012 Crossover of the Year" from Autobytel and an IIHS "Top Safety Pick" is already a popular choice for customers. In its first full-month of sales, 3,629 vehicles were sold in March. CX-5 is the first Mazda to fully encompass SKYACTIV® TECHNOLOGY, the brand's engineering-focused philosophy toward improving all-around vehicle efficiency, and achieves the highest highway fuel economy (35 MPG) of any SUV in America.

Mazda3 sales of 13,235 vehicles accounted for a 6.2 percent increase over last year, and its best monthly sales since August 2009. The new 2012 Mazda3 features Mazda's innovative SKYACTIV-G engine and SKYACTIV-Drive automatic transmission that achieves up to 40 MPG on the highway.

Mazda 6 reported its best month since March 2007 with 7,855 vehicles sold, a 90.0 percent increase over last year.

Rounding out March sales for the North American market, Mazda Motor de Mexico (MMdM) reported its March sales of 2,093 vehicles, down 8.0 percent versus March of last year. Mazda Canada Inc. (MCI) sold 7,779 vehicles in March, up 34.4 percent compared to last March.

Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, Calif. and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada and Mexico through nearly 900 dealers. Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada Inc., located in Ontario; and in Mexico by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.

For more information on Mazda vehicles, visit the online Mazda media center at www.mazdausamedia.com . Product B-roll may be ordered online by visiting The News Market at www.thenewsmarket.com/mazda .

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American Suzuki March 2012 Sales Up 5%

BREA, Calif., April 3, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ --
MARCH CYTD
2012 2011 MTD VS. 2012 2011 YTD VS.
MTD PRIOR YR. YTD PRIOR YR.
GRAND VITARA: 547 517 6% 1,365 1,006 36%
EQUATOR: 157 193 -19% 416 341 22%
SX4: 1,368 1,070 28% 3,341 2,048 63%
KIZASHI 558 703 -21% 1,431 1,643 -13%
OTHER*: 1 14 -92% 8 21 -65%
TOTAL: 2,631 2,497 5% 6,561 5,059 30%

LexFather

Egads that CR-Z flopped hard.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

fixed. ...

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

An nice overview

spwolf

its hard to believe GM is again overtaking Ford... Ford is way too static.

3-4 years ago everyone would bank on Ford being one on offensive, and looking at numbers, GM is beating them, hard.

And Toyota coming close, once again... with new Avalon, Corolla, Rav4 coming soon.

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scgt652

Prius C is a huge success. They sold 4,875 in March, along with 4,937 Prius V wagons. So those two models accounted for all of the Prius' sales increase.

spwolf

yes... but keep in mind that Prius sales were excellent last year at this time, plus that c and v also partially took some of the Prius liftback buyers.

just like as if there was no avalon and no corolla, Camry would sell even better, but all together, they sell tons more.

toyota has currently reached their maximum hybrid production... i dont think they can currently produce more. thats 38k for USA only and probably double for japan, thats more than they can produce in 30 days (1.1m per year is the current max)... plus add other markets as well.

spwolf

:-).......

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http://www.rdmag.com/News/FeedsAP/20...es-mitsubishi/

Mitsubishi Motors North America said Tuesday that its March U.S. sales fell 5.3% on weaker demand for some of its cars and sports utility vehicles.

BY THE NUMBERS: The Japanese automaker said total sales fell to 7,160 in March from 7,560 in the same month last year.

TOP SELLER: Sales of the Galant sedan rose 61% to 2,753 from 1,715.

NOT SO HOT MODELS: Sales of the Endeavor crossover SUV fell 93% to 77 from 1,173.