Some sales are hot, some not compared with last year, according to NADA’s chief economist Paul Taylor. But I believe we’d see a significant change in vehicle selection (sales) if gas wouldget to $2.50 a gallon, and the increase was expected to persist, he said. Taylor offered the following summary of first quarter sales, 2004 vs. 2003:
HOT!
à Toyota Prius +62.4%, thanks to sexy new design, increased practicality and aerodynamics.
à Honda Civic Hybrids, down 0.9% but record sales this March, up 7.6% over March 2003.
à CUVs +19.7%.
à SUVs +10.8%
à Pickup trucks +6.2%
à Vans +5.4%
WARM:
à Stock market recovery, a big 6.6% gain this March vs. 2003 pushed first quarter luxury car sales up 1.5% at 301,740.
à Mid-size cars down 0.4% at 829,162
COOL:
à Honda Insight, down more than 50% from 2003 as buyers opt for Civic.
à Small cars down 7.1%, at 528,948.
à Large-size cars down 5.8% at 109,882.
All other categories of cars are down vs. first quarter 2003.
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