GM sales were up 6% in November, including Cadillac's Escalade, which saw sales jump 75% on a year-over-year basis.
The combination of lower gasoline prices rising, rising consumer confidence and a strong end-of-the-month push from Black Friday helped raise November new vehicle sales to their highest level in more than a decade.
Chrysler, General Motors, Volkswagen, Toyota and Audi all posted sales gains while Nissan and Ford reported a small declines.
Chrysler Group LLC, paced by Jeep and Ram truck, reported a 20% increase compared with sales in November 2013 for the group’s best November sales since 2001.
“Sales of our all-new Chrysler 200 sedan were up a strong 155% in November, helping Chrysler Group to achieve its 56th consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains,” said Reid Bigland, head of U.S. Sales. “In total, we had 11 vehicles last month that set new sales records. Calendar year to date, Chrysler Group remains the fastest growing automaker in the country.”
Chrysler Group's sales increased for the 56th consecutive month, led in part by the 155% increase in Chrysler 200 sales.
GM dealers in the United States boosted sales were by 6% compared to a year ago, retail sales were up 5% and fleet deliveries were up 11%.
GM also estimates that the seasonally adjusted annual selling rate for light vehicles in November was 17.1 million, the highest November SAAR since 2003. Calendar year to date, the SAAR is 16.5 million units, which is the upper end of the 16.0 million – 16.5 million range GM forecasted at the beginning of the year.
“The buzz around Black Friday helped drive strong showroom traffic, but there was a lot more at work in the market,” said Kurt McNeil, 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,” McNeil said.
Toyota also said its sales increased by 3% during November and Volkswagen, which had been mired in a long sales slump, posted a 3% sales increase, while Audi reported record that it had set a yearly sales record by the end of November and a month to go in the calendar year.
Ford's November sales dropped 2%, but the Mustang was up 62.4% last month.
Ford Motor Co. continued to lose marketshare in November as sales slipped 2% from a year ago; however, Ford executives expressed confidence about the maker’s sales trajectory and the overall market while discussing the monthly sales with reporters and analysts.
The overall sales decline was anticipated, as Ford manages its inventory levels as vehicle availability starts growing for the all-new Ford Mustang, F-150 and Transit models, noted John Felice, Ford vice president of U.S. sales, service and marketing.
“Our all-new Mustang is moving quickly off dealer lots,” Felice said. “Mustang had its best November sales in eight years and is turning in just eight days on dealer lots, on average. Escape saw record sales for November, while Lincoln sales continue gaining momentum, with the brand posting its best sales since 2007.”
Ford saw its sales stalwart – the F-150 – drop nearly 10% in November as the company transitioned to its aluminum full-size pickup truck. In fact, all of Ford’s cars posted sales declines last month, except Mustang, which was up 62.4%.
Ford chief economist Emily Kolinski Morris, said, “Black Friday vehicle sales did not disappoint.” In addition, the U.S. economy is on stable path thanks to a 3% fall in commodity prices, which represents a substantial gain for the typical consumer, she said.
Nissan Group’s U.S. sales for November were 103,188 units, down 3.1%. However, in spite of that dip, the brand set a new yearly U.S. sales record for with 1,269,577 units, up 11.5% for the year.
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Nissan Division also reported a 3% sales decline in November, but Fred Diaz, senior vice president of Nissan sales and marketing, said he was optimistic about the future
“Through November, Nissan has set an all-time yearly sales record in 2014, with a month still to go,” Diaz said. “Over the next three months, we will look to keep our foot on the accelerator through high-visibility, big marketing moments, including Nissan’s return to Super Bowl advertising for the first time in almost two decade.
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Kelley Blue Book also reported that carmakers overall are benefitting from consumer’s willingness to pay rising transaction prices.
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“Rising transaction prices are a reflection of stronger pricing in truck and utility segments,” said Alec Gutierrez, senior analyst for Kelley Blue Book. “Domestic automakers will be the main beneficiaries of this trend, as full-size pickup prices are up by an average of 4.3%, with the Big Three making up 94% of segment sales.”