Detroit automakers kept busy in November with The Big Three reporting combined sales of more than 580,000 vehicles in the U.S for the month, up 7 percent when compared to the same time last year.
With 225,818 deliveries recorded last month, total sales at General Motors were up 6 percent when compared to a year ago. Overall, the company experienced its best November sales month since 2007, with Chevrolet Spark (up 26 percent), Cruze (up 64 percent), and Equinox (up .8 percent) reporting their best November to date.
“The buzz around Black Friday helped drive strong showroom traffic, but there was a lot more at work in the market,” says Kurt McNeil, GM’s U.S. vice president of sales operations. “More people have jobs and job security, their wages are starting to increase, household wealth is growing, and low pump prices look like they’re here to stay through 2015. All of this helped deliver an exceptional month, and it will help keep auto sales at very healthy levels going forward.”
In Dearborn, Ford Motor Co. reported 187,000 sales, down 2 percent when compared to November 2013 — something the Dearborn-based automaker anticipated as it manages inventory levels while vehicle availability starts growing for the 2015 Ford Mustang, 2015 F-150 with its aluminum body, and new Transit models.
The Mustang sold more than 8,700 vehicles in November, with the brand’s largest markets, Texas and California, seeing retail sales increases of 46 percent and 76 percent, respectively.
“Our all-new Mustang is moving quickly off dealer lots,” says John Felice, Ford’s vice president of U.S. marketing, sales, and service. “Mustang had its best November sales in eight years and is turning in just eight days on dealer lots, on average.”
And although Chrysler clocked in the smallest share of overall sales with 170,839 deliveries, it also saw the largest sales gain, reporting a 20 percent year-over-year increase. “In total, we had 11 vehicles last month that set new sales records,” says Reid Bigland, head of Chrysler’s U.S. Sales.
Specifically, the Dodge Dart, Ram ProMaster, and Ram Cargo Van each recorded their best ever-monthly sales. In addition, the all-new Jeep Cherokee, Jeep Wrangler, Jeep Patriot, Dodge Challenger, Dodge Journey, Fiat 500L, and Ram pickup truck logged their best November sales.
Likewise, sales of the Chrysler 200 mid-size sedan were up 155 percent in November, the mid-size sedan’s best monthly sales this year.
