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In the U.S. in
March 2007, Consumer March to Quality Continues:
Toyota Sets New Monthly Record, Honda Sets New March Record, and Big 3 Sales
Tumble, but Multiple Chapter 11 Bankruptcies by Any of the Big 3 Seem Unlikely
Auto on Info April 2007
In the U.S. in March 2007, Consumer March to Quality Continues: Toyota Sets New Monthly Record, Honda Sets New March Record, and Big 3 Sales Tumble, but Multiple Chapter 11 Bankruptcies by Any of the Big 3 Seem Unlikely
By James B. Bleeker
Toyota Motor Corporation, with a 1998-2002 Reliability Percentrank average of .90, saw its U.S. auto sales rise by 8% in March 2007, over those of March 2006, to set a new monthly sales record. Its March U.S. car sales rose 15%, and its U.S. light truck - SUV, minivan, and pickup - sales fell 1%.
The following table provides detailed information regarding Toyota Motor Corporation's U.S. sales in the month of March 2007, together with 1998-2002 model, line, and manufacturer Reliability Percentrank averages. Those models that were among July 2006's Hottest Ten, per WSJ's lot-stay time, for all manufacturers, are in bold blue. That model that received CAA's most recent Pyramid Award for ownership satisfaction is italicized.
Table I: Toyota Motor Corporation's March 2007 U.S. Unit Sales and Daily-Selling-Rate Percentage Changes, TMC's Year-to-Date U.S. Unit Sales and Daily-Selling-Rate Percentage Changes, and 1998-2002 Reliability Percentrank Averages, by Line, Type, and Model Manu-facturer Divi-sion Type of Vehicle Model and (distinctions) March Unit Sales Volume Percent-age Change for March 2007 from March 2006 Year-to-Date Unit Sales Volume Year-to-Date Percent-age Change 1998-2002 Reliability Percentrank Average Toyota Motor Corporation 242,675 7.7% 605,855 8.3% .90 Scion Division 10,978 -25.7% 28,938 -22.5% N/A xA (R05) 1,865 -36.2% 5,345 -27.3% N/A xB (R05, R07, GW07) 2,799 -46.7% 8,500 -36.2% N/A tC 6,314 -4.4% 15,093 -9.4% N/A Toyota Division 202,842 11.5% 503,426 11.4% .90 Passenger Car 110,903 19.8% 272,563 19.5% N/A Avalon (GS07, GC07) 7,523 -16.6% 19,635 -15.2% .89 Camry (4-cyl.: R05, R06, 4-cyl. hybrid: GD07) 42,2547 4.5% 105,863 10.0% .889 Corolla (R05, R06, R07, 5-spd manual: GD07) 34,355 2.5% 88,195 4.4% .91 Prius (T05, T06, T07, R05, R06, R07, GT07, GD07, GW07, GS07, GC07) 19,156 133.2% 39,682 74.7% .861 Yaris2 (R05, R07, 5-spd manual: GD07) 7,614 448.3% 19,186 1,295.6% N/A Light Truck 91,939 2.9% 230,863 3.1% N/A RAV4 (SUV) (T07, R05, R06, R07) 17,837 27.5% 41,405 18.8% .94 Sienna (minivan) (T07, GS07) 13,071 -22.6% 34,959 -15.7% .81 Highlander (mid-size SUV) (R05, R06, R07, GS07, 4-cyl.: GW07, hybrid: T06, T07) 11,6938 -3.0% 31,383 4.0% .991,10 FJ Cruiser (SUV) (R07) 6,057 109.8% 16,045 461.4% N/A 4Runner (SUV) (R07, GS07) 9,052 -19.2% 23,937 -16.5% .9411 Land Cruiser (large SUV) (R05, R06) 222 -28.2% 682 -24.9% .92 Tundra (pickup truck) (R05, R06, 6-cyl.: GW07, GS07, GC07) 13,196 7.8% 29,186 -10.7% .9412 Tacoma (pickup truck) 18,243 12.3% 46,328 7.9% .9413 Lexus Division 28,855 0.8% 73,491 4.7% .92 Passenger Car 18,128 26.7% 45,193 24.4% N/A ES (T07A, R07) 7,444 69.7% 18,050 63.0% .96 LS (T05, R05, R06, R07) 3,134 125.4% 8,563 135.2% .98 GS (R06) 2,1036 -18.3% 5,217 -21.9% .963 SC (hardtop convertible) (R05, R06, R07) 370 -33.1% 954 -32.9% .851 IS (R05, R06) 5,0774 -6.0% 12,409 -8.2% .911 Light Truck 10,727 -25.0% 28,298 -16.4% N/A RX (SUV) (T05, GS07) 8,6035 -24.4% 22,233 -14.8% .93 GX (SUV) 1,854 -23.4% 5,239 -16.2% N/A LX (large SUV) (R05) 270 -46.8% 826 -45.8% .87 Note: Percentage changes are daily selling rate percentage changes from previous year's version of the model, and Corolla sales total includes Matrix wagon. 1Based on data for 2 or fewer model years 2Includes data for preceding model number 3The GS 300 and the GS 430 have pooled reliability data and consequently a common Reliability Percentrank. 4The March sales breakdown of the IS series was unstated. 5The RX 350 had March sales of 7,132 and RX 400h - 1,471. 6The GS 300 had March sales of 1,908, the GS 430 had March sales of 14, and the hybrid GS 450h had March sales of 181, based on Lexus total hybrid sales of 1,652 minus Lexus RX 400h hybrid sales of 1,471. 7The non-hybrid Camry had March sales of 37,110 and the Camry hybrid - 5,144. 8The non-hybrid Highlander had March sales of 9,192 and the Highlander hybrid - 2,501. 9The 1998-2002 Reliability Percentrank for the 4-cylinder Camry is .88, that for the Camry Solara is .90, and that for the V6 Camry is unavailable. 10The 1998-2002 Reliability Percentrank for the V8 Highlander is .98. 11This 1998-2002 Reliability Percentrank is for the V6 4Runner. 12The 1998-2002 Reliability Percentrank for the V8 Tundra is .86. 13This 1998-2002 Reliability Percentrank for the V6 Tacoma is .93. Bold blue script indicates that the model was in July 2006's Hottest Ten, for all models of all manufacturers. Italicized script indicates that the model received CAA's most recent Pyramid Award for ownership satisfaction. T05 denotes a Consumer Reports 2005 Top Pick, T06 - a CR 2006 Top Pick, T07 - a CR 2007 Top Pick, T05 - a CR 2005 Top Pick in the Green Car category, T06 - a CR 2006 Top Pick in the Green Car category, T07 - a CR 2007 Top Pick in the Green Car category, T05A - a CR 2005 Top Pick alternate, T06A - a CR 2006 Top Pick alternate, and T07A - a CR 2007 Top Pick alternate. R05 denotes that Consumer Reports accorded the 2005 model its highest predicted short-term reliability, R06 - that CR accorded the 2006 model its highest predicted short-term reliability, and R07 - that CR accorded the 2007 model its highest predicted short-term reliability. GT07 denotes that it is one of two current models that have reduced exhaust emissions sufficiently to receive a permit to use the car pool lanes on Arizona's freeways. (See "Cleaning Arizona Air: The Exclusive Three," Auto on Info, March 2007.) GD07 denotes that the model, or specified edition of the model, is on GreenerCars.com's top dozen green cars. GW07 denotes that the model, or specified edition of the model, is best in category on global warming performance, by the Union of Concerned Scientists, GS07 denotes best in category on smog performance, and GC07 denotes best in category on combined environmental performance. (See "By Yet Another Quality Measure, Toyota and Honda Are Best and GM and DaimlerChrysler - Worst: The UCS 2007 Environmental Report," Auto on Info, April 2007.) To view a table providing Toyota's models on Consumer Reports' list of 2007 models having the highest predicted short-term reliability, go to "By CR's Predicted Short-Term Reliability for Model Year 2007, Toyota and Honda Dominate Best and GM, Ford and DaimlerChrysler Dominate Worst, per Detroit News Table," Auto on Info, November 2006. The Toyota Motor Corporation models showing the largest sales gains in March 2007 over March 2006 were the Toyota Yaris, up 448.3% to 7,614, the original hybrid Toyota Prius, up 133.2% to 19,156, the Lexus LS 460, up 125.4% to 3,134, Toyota FJ Cruiser small sport-utility vehicle, up 109.8% to 6,057, the Lexus ES 350, up 69.7% to 7,444, the Toyota RAV4 small sport-utility vehicle, up 27.5% to 17,837, the Toyota Tacoma small pickup truck, up 12.3% to 18,243, the Toyota Tundra large pickup truck, up 7.8% to 13,196, and the Toyota Camry, up 4.5% to 42,254.
Toyota's Hottest Sellers in March 2007 Toyota Yaris Toyota Prius Lexus LS 460 Toyota FJ Cruiser Lexus ES 350 Toyota RAV4 Toyota Tacoma Toyota Tundra Toyota Camry Solara Toyota Camry Toyota Camry hybrid The above photos are of the 2007 models and the above links are to onsite review pages of either the 2006 models (highlighted) or the 2007 models (not highlighted). The Toyota Prius, up 133.2% for the month, is Toyota's original gas-electric hybrid. The extraordinary popularity of the post-2004 editions is likely a consequence of a combination of factors. First, the post-2004 Prius is a midsize sedan. Second, it employs new gas-electric power-train technology that delivers more power and performs greater work per unit of energy source. This gives it an acceleration comparable to that of the Camry midsize sedan and increases its estimated EPA rating for in-city driving from 55 miles per gallon to 60 miles per gallon.1 In short, the post-2004 editions of the Prius are a bigger car with better gas mileage than its pre-2004 editions. Third, the Prius is a Consumer Reports 2005 Top Pick (green car category), a CR 2006 Top Pick (green car category), a CR 2007 Top Pick (green car category), a recipient of a CR's 2007 "Most Reliable" rating for predicted short-term reliability, a recipient of a CR's 2007 highest ownership satisfaction rating for predicted short-term satisfaction, a recipient of a CR's 2007 highest crash protection rating, a UCS 2007 Best on Global Warming Performance in midsize car category, a UCS 2007 Best on Smog Performance in midsize car category, a UCS 2007 Best on Combined Environmental Performance in midsize car category, one of Arizona's two "green cars" for car pool lane usage, and No. 2 on GreenerCars.com's greenest dozen.
The likelihood of finding a 2007 made-in-Japan Toyota Corolla, Toyota Camry, or Lexus RX350 on a U.S. dealer lot is not good; Toyota Motor Corporation reports that 88.8% of the Corollas sold in the U.S. through March 2007 were made in North America, 75.8% of the Camrys sold in the U.S. through March 2007 were made in North America, and 83.4% of the RX350s sold in the U.S. through March 2007 were made in North America. If made-in-Japan is an uncompromisable criterion, most likely the U.S. consumer will have to buy used, if a Toyota Corolla, Toyota Camry, or Lexus RX350 is his/her desire. (However, the consumer may try telling the dealership, "Look for it. If you can't find it, there's no sale.") U.S. consumers looking for a made-in-Japan 2007 Toyota Avalon are without any hope, as all of the Toyota Avalons sold in the U.S. are made in North America. Currently, all Yaris sold in the U.S. are made abroad; however, Toyota plans North American production of this model, so it may behoove U.S. consumers eyeing the Yaris to buy it within the next two years.
Honda Motor Company, with a 1998-2002 RPA of .88, saw its March 2007 U.S. auto sales rise 7% to 143,392 to set a new March sales record. Honda Motor Company's models showing the largest sales gains in March 2007 over March 2006 were the Honda CR-V small sport-utility vehicle (with a 1998-2002 RPA of .97 and a CR 2006 comfort-versatility-and-snow-traction Quick Pick, a CR 2007 All-Around-Competence Quick Pick, a 2007 CR Top Pick runner-up, a recipient of a CR's 2007 "Most Reliable" rating for predicted short-term reliability, a recipient of a CR's 2007 second-highest ownership satisfaction rating for predicted short-term satisfaction, a recipient of a CR's 2007 second-highest accident avoidance rating from road test performance, and a recipient of a CR's 2007 highest crash protection rating), up 49.2% to 19,658, the Honda Civic Hybrid (a 2007 CR Top Pick alternate in Green Car category, a 2007 CR Top Pick in Small Sedan category, a recipient of a CR's 2007 "Most Reliable" rating for predicted short-term reliability, a recipient of a CR's 2007 highest ownership satisfaction rating for predicted short-term satisfaction, a recipient of a CR's 2007 second-highest accident avoidance rating from road test performance, a recipient of a CR's 2007 highest crash protection rating, one of Arizona's two "green cars" for car pool lane usage, and No. 3 on GreenerCars.com's greenest dozen), up 21.5% to 2,813, the non-hybrid Honda Accord (a CR 2006 Top Pick, with the 2006 EX 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder editions All-Around Quick Picks, with the 2007 EX 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder editions Well-Rounded Quick Picks, and with quite a number of additional distinctions), up 19.9% to 36,121, and the Honda Pilot sport-utility vehicle (a 2005 CR Top Pick, a recipient of a CR's 2007 "Most Reliable" rating for predicted short-term reliability and a recipient of a CR's 2007 second-highest ownership satisfaction rating for predicted short-term satisfaction), up 6.6% to 14,339.
Honda's Hottest Sellers in March 2007 Honda CR-V Honda Civic Hybrid Honda Accord Honda Pilot The above photos are of the 2007 models and the above links are to onsite review pages of either the 2006 models (highlighted) or the 2007 models (not highlighted). The following table provides a comparison of Arizona's two "green cars" for which car-pool-lane usage permits may be issued.
Through March 2007, the Honda Odyssey minivan outsold the Toyota Sienna by 2,387 vehicles, or 6.8%, and the Honda CR-V small sport-utility vehicle outsold the Toyota RAV4 by 6,167 vehicles, or 14.9%. Both of the latter two have solid reliability histories; the Honda CR-V has a 1998-2002 RPA of .97 and a CR 2007 predicted short-term reliability in the highest category and the Toyota RAV4 has a 1998-2002 RPA of .94 and a CR 2007 predicted short-term reliability in the highest category. With regard to the reliability of the minivans, the Honda Odyssey has not fared well of late. Its 1999-2002 Reliability Percentrank average is only .70 (in contrast to its 1995-1998 RPA of .965 and in contrast to the Toyota Sienna's 1999-2002 Reliability Percentrank average of .825) and Consumer Reports accords its 2007 model year a predicted short-term reliability of only average (in contrast to Sienna's above average), something of a disaster for a Honda-engineered product. However, only time will tell what the 2007 Odyssey's actual short-term (1-to-3-year) reliability, mid-term (4-to-6-year) reliability, and longer term (7-to-8-year) reliability will be.
Subaru division of Fuji Heavy Industries, Ltd., with a 1998-2002 RPA of .75, saw its March 2007 U.S. auto sales fall 9%.
Nissan Motor Company, with a 1998-2002 Reliability Percentrank average of .73, saw its March 2007 U.S. auto sales rise 4%. Its car sales rose 14%, but its light truck sales fell 6%. Sales by its Infiniti division, with a 1998-2002 Reliability Percentrank average of .87, rose 13%; sales of Infiniti cars rose 22%, but sales of Infiniti SUVs fell 10%.
Mazda Motor Corporation, with a 1998-2002 RPA of .65, saw its March 2007 U.S. auto sales rise 43% to set a new March record.
Overall, the March 2007 U.S. sales by the auto manufacturers of higher quality products were excellent. Toyota set a new monthly sales record, Honda and Mazda set new March sales records, and Nissan sales rose 4% and sales by Nissan's Infiniti division rose 13%.
At the other end of the quality spectrum, General Motors Corporation
