POLK SALES REPORT

Area Dealers Enjoy Strong 2nd Quarter Sales

Washington area new automobile dealers continue to enjoy strong sales in the second quarter of 2004 with total new vehicle sales of 82,612, compared to 79,891 for the second quarter of 2003 a gain of 3.4%. First half sales were even more impressive: 157, 922 for 2004 vs. 148, 229 for 2003, a solid gain of 6.5%, according to Washington market figures compiled by R. L. Polk.

Again, it was light trucks that led the way with a 6.8% increase over 2003 second quarter sales 39,239 total sales for 2004 compared to 36,745 for 2003. Rising gas prices may have dampened the strong first quarter surge in total truck sales (up 23% over 2003), but first half sales of 77,551 were still up a spectacular 14.2% over 67,899 sales in 2003. In fact, the Washington region, like the rest of the country, is close to becoming a 50/50 car/truck market.

Continuing incentives on domestic cars resulted in another strong quarter, with second quarter sales up 10.6% over last year, 14,331 vs. 12,954, for a total first half gain of 10.2%, 24,819 vs. 22,513 in 2003.

This offset a slight 3.8% second quarter decline in import car sales, 29,042 vs. 30,192, for a first half slide of 3.9%, 55,552 vs. 57,817 in 2003. Total new car sales are about even with last year: 43,373 vs. 43,146 (up 0.5% for the first quarter; 80,371 vs. 80,330 (up 0.1%) for the first half.

However, import cars still represented 70% of total new car sales in the DC metro area in the second quarter and 72% in the first half of 2004. Total unit sales for April, May and June were 24,210 (-6.1% vs. 2003), 30,217 (+8.6%), and 31,334 (+19.2%), respectively.

A more detailed, monthly sales summary sheet is available on the –Members Center” area of our Web site, www.wanada.org. Use –WANADA” for the user name and –Auto” for the password, click on –General Information,” then –Marketing and Sales Data.”