Jeep Sales Surge Drives Chrysler to November Sales Gain

Cars and Drivers

Published: November 29, 2014 9:56 am

Last Updated: April 28, 2020 12:14 am

Automakers will report U.S. new car sales for November on Tuesday, and analysts expect another month of growth. The analysts at Kelley Blue Book (KBB) are forecasting light vehicle sales of 1.27 million units, up 2.2% over November 2013 sales, while analysts at Edmunds.com are expecting 1.26 million sales and WardsAuto is forecasting 1.29 million units sold.

KBB and Edmunds are forecasting month-over-month sales declines compared with actual sales in October of 1.277 million units. WardsAuto’s forecast is based the company’s belief that the Black Friday weekend sales will be stronger than last year.

The estimates for General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) range from 213,000 at Edmunds to 215,000 at KBB to 219,000 at WardsAuto. That’s a year-over-year gain ranging from 0.6% to 3.3%. GM’s market share is expected to remain right around 17%.

Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F) is touted for light vehicle sales ranging from 187,000 to 193,000, which would be down 1.4% to up about 1.5%. The company’s market share is expected to slip from 15.3% a year ago to 14.8% still good enough to be second in the U.S. market.

Toyota Motor Corp. (NYSE: TM) sales are forecast in a range from 180,000 to 183,000, up from 178,000 a year ago. Toyota sold about 181,000 units in October. Toyota will remain third in the U.S. market with a 14.3% share.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV (NYSE: FCAU) is expected to post a double-digit gain from November 2013’s total of 142,000. KBB sees a nearly 12% jump to 159,000 and Edmunds and WardsAuto both forecast a gain of 14.9% to 163,000. FCA’s U.S. market share is around 12.5% to 13%.

Honda Motor Co. Ltd. (NYSE: HMC) sold 117,000 units in November 2013 and analysts are looking for a gain between 118,000 and 123,000 units. Honda’s market share is around 9.5%.

Volkswagen AG sold just 44,000 VWs and Audis in November 2013 and analysts are looking for gains to 46,000 (Edmunds) and nearly 50,000 (KBB). Volkswagen sales rose more than 10% month-over-month in October and analysts see that rise continuing. The company’s U.S. market share is around 3.8%.

On the basis of seasonally adjusted annual sales (SAAR), Edmunds is forecasting a rate of 16.7 million while KBB is looking for 16.8 million. WardsAuto is the most enthusiastic, suggesting that a SAAR of 17 million is in the cards for November. If that comes true it would be only the second time since 2006 that the rate has been that high. The last time was this past August when the SAAR reached 17.4 million units.

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