U.S. Auto Sales Chart, February 2009
February 2009 sales figures for the international automobile industry released today show that sales during February 2009 were down 41% from February 2008, according to the American International Automobile Dealers Association (AIADA).
Numbers from Autodata Corp., show brands controlled by off-shore makers sold 383,707 vehicles in February, down from 574,150 in February 2008. Asian brands accounted for 47.3% of the market, up from 41.8% in February 2008. Europeans had an 8.4% share, up from 7%. Domestic brands finished the month with 44.3% of the market. Kia, Smart, and Subaru, all saw small increases over February 2008. The numbers were unadjusted for business days.
February had the lowest annualized auto sales rate — at 9.1 million vehicles — since December 1981. Adjusted for population growth, it would be the lowest rate since the 1960s. AIADA attributes the weak sales in part to consumer confidence, which is at its lowest point since the factor was first measured by the Conference Board in 1967.
AIADA represents over 11,000 international franchises, which so far this year account for 57% of all vehicles sold in the United States.
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