Dec auto sales Hyundai/Chrsler down 50%, toyota ~40%

[SVT32V]

In decreasing order:

Chrysler Llc's down 53 percent.
Hyundai dropped by 48.3 percent
Toyota dropped by 36.7 percent
Honda dropped by 34.7 percent
Ford Motor Co.'s was off 32 percent.
General Motors' fell 31 percent
Nissan Motor Co. dropped by 31 percent
Mazda's fell by 26.8 percent

http://www.newsday.com/classified/automotive/ny-bzauto065988331jan06,0,5981138.story

[Laconian]

The release of the new 6 probably gave Mazda a softer landing than the rest, like the Forester did for Subaru.

[Byteme]

The release of the new 6 probably gave Mazda a softer landing than the rest, like the Forester did for Subaru.

Probably a greater factor is that Mazda has virtually no dependence on pickup trucks for sales.

[cozmik]

Probably a greater factor is that Mazda has virtually no dependence on pickup trucks for sales.

neither does Hyundai....

[Byteme]

neither does Hyundai....

I'd bet that if you asked the average auto buyer which car has a better reputation the answer would be Mazda.  That would acoount for some of the difference.

[Atomic]

the lack of new product is often the cause, but i think it's just a small factor this past year.

[Submariner]

I'm somewhat surprised Hyundai took such a nosedive. 

[Laconian]

Perhaps their value-minded customer base realized that they can save even more money by buying used instead.

[the Teuton]

Anyone have a full list?  Iffy?

[Speed_Racer]

Perhaps their value-minded customer base realized that they can save even more money by buying used instead.

Or not trading in for a new car every x number of years.

[ifcar]

Anyone have a full list?  Iffy?

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/05/by-the-numbers-december-2008-i-want-my-mommy-edition/

[ifcar]

And:
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/05/by-the-numbers-2008-phew-glad-thats-over-edition/

[Vinsanity]

Hyundai being off by 48% makes me wonder how well the Genesis is selling. I do see a few on the road here and there, but I wonder how that compares with their sales expectations for the car.

[ifcar]

Hyundai being off by 48% makes me wonder how well the Genesis is selling. I do see a few on the road here and there, but I wonder how that compares with their sales expectations for the car.

They've sold at least 1k units per month each month it was on sale. Don't know what their expectations were, but that's much better than the Azera has been doing recently.

[Vinsanity]

It does appear that the Azera is suffering much of the brunt of the economic crisis. I'm guessing the Genesis is selling to people who would've otherwise bought a Lexus but wanted a better bargain; while the Azera's usual customers, people looking to trade up from Camrys, are in less of a position to buy a new car.

It also doesn't help that with all the marketing efforts foced on the Genesis, alot of people have forgotten that the Azera exists.

[Submariner]

It does appear that the Azera is suffering much of the brunt of the economic crisis. I'm guessing the Genesis is selling to people who would've otherwise bought a Lexus but wanted a better bargain; while the Azera's usual customers, people looking to trade up from Camrys, are in less of a position to buy a new car.

It also doesn't help that with all the marketing efforts foced on the Genesis, alot of people have forgotten that the Azera exists.

I don't recall ever seeing an Azera TV add, and not to mention TV and paper adds.

[ifcar]

I've seen plenty of magazine and online ads for the Azera. Don't watch enough television to know if it's been on there, but I don't recall an Azera TV ad.

[the Teuton]

It also doesn't help that with all the marketing efforts foced on the Genesis, alot of people have forgotten that the Azera exists.

The Azera still exists?  Really?

[Laconian]

The Azera ad campaign was pretty forgettable, just a lot of warm string soundtracks and sparkly floating slow mo shots of smiling people and flowers blowing about.

[the Teuton]

I thought the Genesis replaced the Azera.

That's hypothetically like selling a Lexus GS and ES within $8,000 of one another.

[Laconian]

I thought the Genesis replaced the Azera.

That's hypothetically like selling a Lexus GS and ES within $8,000 of one another.

Isn't that already the case?

[ifcar]

I thought the Genesis replaced the Azera.

That's hypothetically like selling a Lexus GS and ES within $8,000 of one another.

The Azera and Genesis are at two very different price points. A fully loaded Azera is around the sticker price of a base Genesis and has much more discounts.

[nickdrinkwater]

The Azera is a bland boat so no wonder nobody buys it.

[ifcar]

The Azera is a bland boat so no wonder nobody buys it.

Americans buy bland boats by the bland boatload.

[Submariner]

Americans buy bland boats by the bland boatload.

Save for the Azera.