May 2017 Auto Sales: Crossovers Continue Positive Momentum

Some experts think the U.S. auto market has peaked, and this month adds fuel to the fire. General Motors, Fiat Chrysler, and Toyota were among the automakers that declined slightly in sales last month. Meanwhile, some automakers including Ford and Nissan squeaked out small increases. Once again, crossovers helped bolster sales when many traditionally popular passenger cars failed to make gains.

Check out the list of winners and losers from each major automaker in our May 2017 auto sales roundup:

 

Ford (241,126 units, +2.2 percent)

Winner: Ford Explorer (22,715 units, +20.7 percent)

The Explorer will receive a minor refresh this fall, and a brand new generation is expected to debut in 2019. Still, the Explorer is biding its time nicely, with sales reaching 97,157 during the first five months of the year, above last year’s pace. The Explorer is the second best-selling SUV in Ford’s lineup, right behind the compact Escape.

 

Loser: Ford Fiesta (4,181 units, -32 percent)

Once again, the Fiesta was a party pooper. Sales for the subcompact model fell by a greater margin than any other Ford-branded passenger car (not including SUVs). But the Fiesta is in good company. Overall, sales for Ford cars dropped 10.9 percent, while SUVs grew 4.2 percent.

 

GM (237,364 units, -1.3 percent)

 

Winner: Cadillac XT5 (5,752 units, +111.5 percent)

The Cadillac XT5 went on sale in April 2016 as a replacement for the SRX. A year later, it’s performing well and helped propel Cadillac to an overall sales growth of 9.2 percent last month. Caddy says the average transaction price for the XT5 is $3,000 more than its predecessor, so it has proven to be a good money-making proposition for the reimagined luxury brand.

 

Loser: Chevrolet Impala (3,269 units, -37.8 percent)

The full-size sedan with a rental car stigma failed to impress in May. But so did many of Chevrolet’s other cars, including the Malibu, Sonic, Spark, and Corvette that also saw negative percentages last month. Overall, the Chevrolet brand is down slightly by 3.8 percent.

 

Fiat Chrysler (193,040 units, -1 percent)

 

Winner: Chrysler Pacifica (11,720 units, +325 percent)

First entering the market in April 2016, the Pacifica has become a force to be reckoned with in the minivan segment. We’ve commended it for its excellent value, balanced driving dynamics, and modern features, although the new 2018 Honda Odyssey is bound to give the Pacifica a run for its money. After introducing the standard model, FCA later released a Pacifica Hybrid, although we’re not exactly sure how popular it is because the automaker doesn’t break down sales of the gas model from the plug-in.

 

Loser: Jeep Cherokee (14,635 units, -24 percent)

Typically, Jeep is one of FCA’s better performing brands in terms of sales. But last month Jeep suffered a 15-percent decline, with sliding sales for the Renegade, Cherokee, and outgoing Compass and Patriot. The Grand Cherokee and Wrangler managed to grow, however.

 

Toyota (218,248 units, -0.5 percent)

 

Winner: Toyota Highlander (18,115 units, +22.5 percent)

Much like the Ford Explorer, the Highlander experienced a considerable bump in sales last month. The recently refreshed crossover isn’t quite as popular as the smaller RAV4, but sales are up 20.8 percent during the first five months of the year and 22.5 percent during the month of May. The RAV4 also jumped up 18.9 percent last month, although numbers were down for bigger SUVs including the Sequoia and Land Cruiser.

 

Loser: Toyota Prius (10,022 units, -19.9 percent)

Blame it on low gas prices? The Prius dropped off quite a bit last month, and sales so far this year are also down. The Camry, Corolla, and Avalon also suffered double-digit declines.

 

Honda (148,414 units, +0.9 percent)

 

Winner: Honda HR-V (9,533 units, +29 percent)

We’re seeing a lot of negative numbers as we look at Honda’s sales chart, but the HR-V is the most notable exception. Sales reached 9,533 in May, and a healthy 29,876 for the year. It’s more evidence that the subcompact crossover segment is hot right now. Meanwhile, the larger CR-V also performed well with a 9.6-increase in sales.

 

Loser: Honda Odyssey (8,999 units, -26.3 percent)

Perhaps things will change when the all-new 2018 model begins its first full month of sales in June, but right now, the Odyssey is declining. Honda sold 8,999 units, down from 12,212 in May 2016. The Pilot also didn’t do so well last month, dropping off 11.3 percent.

 

Nissan (137,471 units, +3 percent)

 

Winner: Nissan Titan (4,937 units, +435.5 percent)

After 10 years without a major redesign, the Titan was completely redone for the 2017 model year. Sales have grown steadily, with year-to-date growth at 289.5 percent. So far this year, Nissan has sold 20,265 units of the Titan, which admittedly is a drop in the pond compared to pickups from Ford and GM.

 

Loser: Nissan Versa (9,006 units, -25.7 percent)

Best known for its affordable price tag, the Versa slots below the Sentra, Altima, and Maxima sedans in the Nissan lineup. Sales are down 25.7 percent for the month and 16.2 percent for the year so far.

 

Volkswagen Brand (30,014 units, +4.29 percent)

 

Winner: Volkswagen Golf Family (7,203 units, +61.0 percent)

The Golf continues to be, arguably, the best car in VW’s U.S. lineup. Even without a new TDI model to sell, sales were up 26.5 percent for the traditional Golf, 41.6 percent for the e-Golf, and a whopping 243.9 percent for the SportWagen. The ultra-low-volume Golf R is down 34.9 percent, and sales for the GTI remain even.

 

Loser: Volkswagen Tiguan (2,068 units, -52.9 percent)

 

While Tiguan is less difficult to pronounce than the Touareg, it doesn’t change the fact that sales are down 52.9 percent for May and 13 percent for the year. Sales also dropped last month for the Passat, and Touareg, though less steeply. An all-new Tiguan arrives later this year with a third row option.

Source: The Automakers

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