Top 10 Best-Selling Cars: January 2012

After capping 2011 with four decent months, the auto industry hit 2012 running. Analysts expect auto sales to outpace 2011 figures anywhere from 6% to 10%, which could make 2012 the best sales year since 2007.

January enticed consumers with total incentives — including financing offers, automaker and dealer cash, and trade-in bonuses — amounting to 16% off the average car’s MSRP, CNW Marketing Research reports. That beats January 2011, when shoppers saw only 13.5% off the average MSRP.

Shoppers took advantage. January sales jumped 11%, beating Tuesday’s expectations. This marks the best annualized month since 2009, Automotive News reports. Chrysler, Nissan and Hyundai-Kia saw double-digit sales gains, with GM the only top-seven automaker to post a loss.

Honda Accord, Civic Most Popular Stolen Vehicles

The most popular stolen vehicle last year was the 1994 Honda Accord, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau.

Of the 52,000 Honda Accords stolen in 2010, some 44,000 of them were models made in the ’90s, the non-profit group said. Older cars and models are typically stolen for the value of their parts, while newer cars are typically stolen and then resold, the bureau says.

The 1995 Honda Civic and 1994 Acura Integra — which placed second and eighth, respectively — are popular among car thieves because their engines are easily swappable. You can place the more powerful Integra powertrain into a more lightweight Civic, for example. Both models are popular with street racers and car remodeling enthusiasts, so demand for parts is strong.

Recall Alert: 242,780 Dodge Ram Pickups

Dodge is recalling nearly a quarter of a million Ram pickups for a bad tie rod assembly in the front steering system. The company says the part may fracture, and it often occurs during low-speed turning maneuvers, like in parking lots. If a fracture happens, drivers could notice a loss in directional stability, increasing the risk of a crash.

The affected vehicles include a wide range of models and years, including:

• 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 Mega Cab 4x4 built between Feb. 14, 2008, through Aug. 15, 2008
• 2008-2011 Dodge Ram 2500/3500 4x4 built between Feb. 14, 2008, through March 28, 2011
• 2008-2011 Dodge Ram 3500 Cab Chassis 4x2 built between Feb. 14, 2008, through March 28, 2011
• 2003-2008 Dodge Ram 2500/3500 may have received part during routine service

There is no date for the start of the recall, but dealers will inspect the affected vehicles and replace the left tie rod as needed for free. Owners can call Chrysler at 800-853-1403 or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at 800-327-4236.

Pickup Truck Segment at a 31-Year Low

As high gas prices continue to rock the auto industry, pickup truck sales are taking it on the chin: Total sales as a segment are at their lowest point since 1980, according to Wards Automotive.

Six years ago, pickups were nearly twice as popular as they are today versus all vehicles sold. Full-size and small pickups made up 22.9% of all new-car sales in July 2005, instead of the 11.8% share the utility vehicles garnered last month.

The main culprits behind the drop in the popularity, besides high gas prices, include high unemployment and a lull in housing construction — those figures typically run parallel to the rise and fall of demand for pickups, Wards says.

The decline affects domestic automakers more than Japanese automakers; Korean and German automakers don’t even build pickups. Only two pickups landed on the top 10 best-sellers list for April: the Ford F-150 and the Chevrolet Silverado. The Silverado, whose sales declined 0.9% for the month, fell from its typical second-place spot to fourth. When you look at the top 20 best-sellers in April, the only other truck on the list is the Ram, in 14th place, with sales up 29.4%.

Keep in mind that pickup truck sales are actually up in 2011 compared with 2010, but the increase is less than other vehicle segments — small cars, midsize cars and midsize SUVs are growing much more quickly — which is reducing the segment’s market share. Most of the drop-off in truck sales as a percentage of all vehicles comes from a lack of demand for small pickups, which haven't seen much innovation or new models since 2005 as manufacturers shifted focus to building profitable large trucks.

U.S. Pickup Segment Hits 3-Decade Low (Wards Auto)

Recall Alert: 2011 Dodge Ram 1500

Chrysler Group is recalling more than 56,000 2011 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup trucks over an issue with the rear axle bearing.

On some models built between September 2009 and December 2010, not enough lubricant was placed in the rear axle bearing. As a result, the bearing could seize, increasing the risk of an accident.

The bearing failure typically occurred within the first 500 miles, preceded by a groan or grinding noise, according to some reports.

Chrysler will notify affected owners in February. Dealerships will add 20 ounces of fluid to the rear axle bearing.

For more info, owners can contact Chrysler at 800-853-1403 or NHTSA’s hot line at 888-327-4236.

2011|Dodge|Ram 1500

Chrysler's November Incentives Keep Status Quo

Chrysler’s November incentives are nearly the same as last month's for Chrysler and Dodge, while Jeep receives one new program. The Ram truck brand had the most significant changes. The brand finally ditched its 60-day guarantee incentive, which allowed Ram buyers to return their vehicles within 60 days if they weren't satisfied. In its wake, Ram has bolstered its cash-back incentives. Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep had similar 60-day guarantee programs, but they expired over the summer.

The new Ram incentive is called Engine Bonus Cash, which offers a cash-back incentive of $500 to $1,000 depending on powertrain. There’s also bonus cash available on some 2011 Ram 1500 trims that can be added to a cash-back incentive or special financing programs.

The 2011 Jeep Patriot, which isn't on sale yet, already has an incentive program offering $1,000 cash back.

For November, the Chrysler brand is no longer advertising any specific lease specials.

For more details about Chrysler’s incentive programs for the month, continue reading below.

Recall Alert: 26,397 Chrysler Vehicles

Chrysler Group is recalling 26,397 vehicles across six nameplates due to potential engine fires, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The models affected include the 2010 Chrysler 300 and Sebring; the 2010 Dodge Charger, Challenger, Avenger and Journey; and the 2011 Ram 1500 light-duty pickup truck.

In the affected vehicles the power-steering pressure hose may separate under pressure and leak power-steering fluid onto the hot engine components. This may result in an engine fire.

Chrysler will inspect and replace the power-steering pressure hose free of charge. The recall is already underway. For additional information, owners can call Chrysler at 800-853-1403 or NHTSA's hot line at 888-327-4236.

Recall Alert: 2010 Ram Trucks

Chrysler is recalling about 840 2010 Ram trucks because of incorrect tire pressure labels, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The labels on the affected vehicles display the incorrect weight or seating capacity information. The incorrect info could cause an owner to improperly follow vehicle loading specifications and increase the risk of a crash. Specific trims affected by the recall include the 1500 ST Quad Cab 4X2, which has inaccurate seating capacity labels, and some unspecified 2500 and 3500 trims whose labels have under-rated front/rear axle capacities.

Owners will be given replacement or supplemental tire pressure labels that they can install themselves. If a customer doesn’t want to install the labels, a Chrysler dealer will install them, and the customer can then mail proof of payment to the automaker for reimbursement. The notifications will be sent to both dealers and owners this month. For more information, owners may call Chrysler at 800-853-1403 or NHTSA's vehicle safety hot line at 888-327-4236.

2010|Dodge|Ram 1500

2010|Dodge|Ram 2500

2010|Dodge|Ram 3500

Ram Truck Line Receives Upgrades for 2011

Along with the deluge of new Chrysler vehicle information released earlier today was information regarding the 2011 Ram Truck line. The 2011 Dakota gets side-impact airbags and antilock brakes standard. The Ram 1500 and Ram Heavy Duty get increases in overall hauling abilities and safety and interior technology upgrades. All three models are already on sale. For detailed information regarding the changes, check out our coverage at PickupTrucks.com.

First Look: 2011 Dakota
First Look: 2011 Ram 1500/2500/3500

2011|Dodge|Dakota

2011|Dodge|Ram 1500

2011|Dodge|Ram 2500

2011|Dodge|Ram 3500

Top 10 Best-Selling Cars: August 2010

Cash for Clunkers continues to cast a long shadow: Big automakers had what looks to be a bad month, but last year the popular government program dramatically boosted the sales of many models, including the Toyota Camry, Honda Civic, Honda CR-V and Honda Accord. So the dramatic declines experienced by those models is not all too surprising.

Year-to-date, five of the models in the top 10 are selling less than they sold year-to-date in 2009. Before August, only one model on this list – the Dodge Ram – was selling worse in 2010 compared with 2009.

Toyota (down 31.4%), Honda (down 30%), Nissan (down 27%) and GM (down 24.9%) saw the most dramatic declines. Of course, Japanese automakers were the biggest gainers during Cash for Clunkers; GM’s decline is partly due to the strong sales gains by Pontiac and Chevrolet in August 2009. Chrysler saw a 7% increase because very few of its cars sold well during Cash for Clunkers.

The best selling full-size trucks — Ford F-Series, Chevrolet Silverado and Dodge Ram — performed well this month, and they were the only models on the list (besides the Hyundai Sonata) to post positive gains. Honda remains the automaker with the most cars on the list with three models, the same as last month.