GM Remains Top Automaker in 2011

Most automakers reported positive sales results for the 2011 calendar year yesterday. Reports have the total number hovering around 13 million new cars sold. Optimism abounds for 2012.

GM remained the top automaker in U.S. sales, seeing sales grow 13.7% over 2010, but it was Chrysler that surged the most.

The automaker saw sales spike 26.2% over 2010's rate after introducing a number of new models with the redesigned Jeep Grand Cherokee leading the charge. The sales were so strong that Chrysler overtook Honda as the No. 4 automaker in the U.S.

As we've mentioned before, Honda ran into supply issues due to last year's Japanese tsunami, but even if Honda had been able to maintain sales at its 2010’s pace, Chrysler still would have passed them by.

Comments

If your Honda figures were right, they'd be behind both Hyundai-Kia at 1,131,183 and Nissan, at 1,042,534. But the figure Honda actually reported was 1,147,285. Your figure is for Honda division only. Acura sold another 123,299 vehicles.

I figured there was a good chance Chrysler would pass Honda based on the freshness of Chrysler produce in 2011. I dont see things changing unless gas prices spike in 2012. Dodge is finally getting a competent small car and it should do well. Plus 300/Charger sales have spiked upwards now that the 2012s are available with better mileage.

Chrysler's performance is impressive and they should get props for leading the major automakers in sales gain. Maybe next year their success wont have to be qualified by implying that they only did better than Honda due to a quake.

Derrick,
We fixed the error in the chart. Clearly we were going off the correct number for the story and input the wrong figure for the chart. Thanks for pointing that out.

Sheth,
We went out of our to say exactly the opposite of that actually.

Does anyone ever do a year end breakdown by "make" and not the overall manufacturer? And also a breakdown minus fleet sales? Would be interesting to see those numbers.

ziggy,

Yes:

http://www.goodcarbadcar.net/2012/01/us-auto-sales-by-brand-2011-year-end.html

and not that I've ever seen. I've seen it by top sellers, but not so far for '11.

Dodge is finally getting a competent small car and it should do well.
-Holy cow (Shet), dodge must have only sold about 3 or 4 of the Calibers if it wasn't competent.

Maybe next year their success wont have to be qualified by implying that they only did better than Honda due to a quake.
-And its Cars.com that gets called out as being biased by Shet. What a fraud.

On both counts bellie I have no idea what you're talking about. Your "attacks" don't even make sense. You visit the site solely to attack me and that's the best you can do? Bring you a game if you're going to cyber stalk.

I have no idea what you're talking about
-No way, the incompetent Shet doesn't get it? No one is surprised at all.

Bring you a game if you're going to cyber stalk.
-Shet, I don't even need "a game" to whoop up on you. And cyber stalk? Are you kidding? You are a freak.