USA SALES MARCH - HONDA/ACURA - overall a slight decrease,but honda trucks saved the day.

• American Honda trucks have best-ever March sales. rising 8.4 percent
• Honda Division trucks also set new March record with a 12.6 percent gain
• Honda CR-V sails past previous March best with a 23 percent increase
• Honda HR-V continues record pace, gaining 19.6 percent for the month
• Acura MDX sales rise 1.3 percent in March ahead of new Sport Hybrid model launch

American Honda Motor Co., Inc. today reported total March sales of 137,227 Honda and Acura vehicles, a decrease of 0.7 percent over March 2016. Honda Division was up 1.8 percent on sales of 125,531 units while Honda trucks set a new March record, gaining 12.6 percent on sales of 61,975. 

Acura Division sales were down 21.2 percent in March, on sales of 11,696 vehicles.

Honda

Led by trucks with a record month and bolstered by resilient car sales, Honda Division gained 1.8 percent in March. CR-V and HR-V continued their hot streaks, both blowing double-digit holes in their own March records while Ridgeline also made a notable contribution. 

On the passenger car side, Fit was up 6.1 percent while Civic topped 31,000 sales. Accord posted a strong March with 26,824 new buyers.

   

• Honda trucks had best ever March sales, gaining 12.6 percent on sales of 61,975
• CR-V led truck gains with a March record of 32,872 vehicles, up 23 percent
• HR-V set a new March record, rising 19.6 percent on sales of 7,653
• Ridgeline sales surpassed 3,700 units in March
• With another strong month of nearly 32,000 in sales, Civic was easily the best-selling passenger car in America on a retail basis in the first quarter of 2017

"Many automakers are looking for signs of market stability as consumers continue to head towards trucks and SUVs," said Jeff Conrad, senior vice president and general manager of the Honda Division. "But cars are still a compelling choice for many, especially when you have the right formula. Civic is a great example."

Acura

Strong sales of Acura trucks in March continued to set the pace for the Acura brand, even as the company prepared to launch the MDX Sport Hybrid—the third and newest installment of the brand’s high-performance Sport Hybrid technology—along with the Acura NSX supercar and RLX Sport Hybrid model. The new MDX is the latest salvo in the evolving Acura lineup prioritizing performance through both powertrain and design. And on April 11, a refreshed and significantly enhanced 2018 TLX will be revealed in New York, bringing the Acura Precision Concept-inspired design language to the sedan lineup. 

• MDX sales totaled 4,141 units in March, up 1.3 percent over 2016

"With the Acura MDX already posting strong sales in the luxury SUV segment, the new MDX Sport Hybrid adds a new performance dimension to provide greater market visibility of our performance hybrid technology and greater purchase consideration for Acura products," said Jon Ikeda, vice president & general manager of the Acura division.

uSA SALES MARCH - GM - America's multi brand car company was the fastest selling group in March.

• Strong Retail Share Gain for the First Quarter

General Motors (NYSE: GM), which grew its retail sales faster than any other full-line automaker in 2016, outpaced the industry once again in March. The company also gained retail share in the first quarter of 2017.

“The economy is strong and we see more growth ahead for our brands,” said Kurt McNeil, U.S. vice president of sales operations. “More people are working, consumer confidence is at a 16-year high, fuel prices are low and Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac have a wave of new crossovers to compete in the industry’s biggest and hottest segments.”

• At Buick, crossovers are expected to account for more than 75 percent of retail deliveries in 2017, up from 66 percent in 2016, driven by the Encore, Envision and Enclave.
• GMC, which has the highest average transaction prices (ATPs) of any non-luxury brand, will launch the all-new 2018 Terrain in late summer, complementing the redesigned Acadia that went on sale in late summer 2016.
• Cadillac will benefit from a full year of production of the new XT5 crossover, which is now the second best-selling vehicle in its segment.

Chevrolet, which grew retail market share in 2015 and was the industry’s fastest-growing brand in 2016, is particularly well positioned. Chevrolet had its best March and first quarter retail sales since 2007.

“Chevrolet will have the industry’s broadest and freshest lineup of utility vehicles led by the all-new 2018 Equinox and Traverse, plus we have a unique three-truck pickup strategy and a dominant position in large SUVs,” McNeil said. “We also have a first-mover advantage in many segments. It will be years before key competitors are able to launch rivals to the Chevrolet Bolt EV, Colorado and Trax.”

Highlights (vs. 2016)

First Quarter Overview

• GM’s retail sales were 546,838 units, up 1.9 percent, and retail market share was up 0.2 percentage points to an estimated 16.8 percent. The gains were primarily driven by crossovers, which were up 21 percent. Truck deliveries were up half a percentage point.
• Chevrolet increased its first quarter retail share by an estimated 0.1 percentage point, as did GMC.
• Commercial deliveries were up 4 percent, and daily rental deliveries were down 8 percent, or about 6,000 units. Total fleet sales were down 3 percent.
• Total sales were 689,521 units, up 1 percent, and market share was up an estimated 0.3 percentage points to an estimated 16.7 percent.
• Average transaction prices were approximately $34,000, in line with last year’s first quarter.

March Overview

• Retail sales were 203,113 units, up 5 percent, and market share was up 0.6 percentage points to an estimated 16.1 percent.
• Chevrolet’s estimated retail market share increased 0.4 percentage points and Buick was up 0.3 percentage points.
• Total sales were 256,224 units, up 2 percent, and market share was up an estimated 0.4 percentage points to 15.9 percent.
• Commercial deliveries were up 3 percent driven by a 67 percent increase in Malibu deliveries and strong pickup and large van sales. Daily rental sales down 18 percent, or more than 5,100 units. Fleet sales were down 9 percent.

Brand Highlights (vs. 2016)

Chevrolet Crossovers

• On a retail basis in March, the Trax was up 51 percent, the Equinox was up 26 percent and the Traverse was up 24 percent.
• For the quarter, Trax retail sales were up 54 percent, the Equinox was up 16 percent and the Traverse was up 7 percent. 
• Bolt EV sales in the quarter were 3,092 units, with limited availability. The days to turn is exceptionally low at 14 days.

Chevrolet Trucks

• Chevrolet had its best first quarter truck sales since 2008, up 6 percent. Key drivers were the Suburban, up 26 percent; the Tahoe, up 11 percent; and strong full-size van sales to small business customers and fleets. Silverado sales were essentially equal to a year ago.
• Chevrolet retail truck sales in the first quarter were up 2 percent, with the Tahoe up 9 percent, the Colorado up 7 percent and the Suburban up 5 percent. Silverado sales were essentially equal to a year ago.
• The Tahoe and Suburban had their best March total sales since 2008, and their best first quarter total and retail sales since 2008. The Colorado had its best first quarter retail sales since 2005.  

Chevrolet Cars

• Retail deliveries were very strong in March, up 9 percent. The drivers were the Cruze, up 63 percent; the Sonic, up 14 percent; the Spark, up 50 percent; the Volt, up 15 percent; and the Camaro, up 2 percent. 
• During the quarter, retail car deliveries were down 11 percent, reflecting industry-wide changes in customer demand. However, Cruze retail sales were up 22 percent during the quarter, the Spark was up 37 percent and the Volt was up 39 percent.
• The Volt had its best first quarter total and retail sales ever. 

Buick Sales

• Buick had its best March retail sales since 2005, with sales up 22 percent.
• The LaCrosse was up 60 percent on a retail basis in March, the Encore was up 17 percent and Regal was up 7 percent.
• On a total sales basis, it was Buick’s best March since 2006, with deliveries up 15 percent.
• First quarter retail deliveries were the highest since 2004, driven by a 29 percent increase in crossover sales.
• The Encore has posted seven consecutive months of year-over-year sales gains, and it had its best-ever March and first quarter sales.
• The Envision had its best month since launch.

GMC Sales

• Total GMC sales were up 12 percent in March, driven by a 47 percent increase in crossover deliveries. The Acadia, which was redesigned last year, was up 84 percent and the Terrain was up 14 percent.
• The Yukon XL was up 17 percent.
• March was the highest-ever month for Denali models, at 29 percent of GMC retail sales.
• Total GMC sales for the first quarter were the best since 2000, with deliveries up 10 percent.
• First quarter retail deliveries were up 4 percent, with the Acadia up 30 percent and Sierra HD models up 22 percent.

Cadillac Sales

• Cadillac XT5 retail sales in March were 22 percent higher than the outgoing SRX, and ATPs were about 9 percent higher.
• Cadillac’s ATPs continue to be in the upper echelon of luxury brands at more than $54,000.

Full-year Guidance

• We believe strong car-buying fundamentals are reflected in the retail component of the light vehicle SAAR (seasonally-adjusted annual rate), which was 14 million in March, up 0.3 million versus a year ago. The retail SAAR for the first quarter was 14.3 million, up 0.1 million.
• Ten all-new or recently redesigned crossovers are expected to drive GM’s sales and share higher in 2017.
• GM’s deliveries to daily rental companies are expected to decline for the third year in a row.
• The company expects inventory in the second quarter to be lower than the first quarter, in a range around 90 days’ supply. The decline reflects strong sales, lower car production and strategic, launch-related growth in truck and crossover stocks.
• The company expects to end 2017 at essentially the same inventory levels as 2016 on a days’ supply basis, but with fewer cars and more trucks and crossovers in stock.
• As expected, incentives were down sharply from February 2017, according to J.D Power PIN estimates. Spending as a percentage of average transaction price (ATP) declined from approximately 14.9 percent to about 13.5 percent.
• The launches of new crossovers and adjustments to passenger car inventories will help moderate incentive spending going forward.

USA SALES MARCH - NISSAN/INFINITI -Both brands have grown in the month giving an overall 3% increase.

March 2017	March 2016	% Change
Nissan Group Total sales (units)	168,832	163,559	+3.2
Nissan Division sales	150,566	149,784	+0.5
Infiniti sales*	18,266	13,775	+32.6

Nissan Group today announced U.S. sales in March 2017 set an all-time record at 168,832 units, an increase of 3 percent over the prior year.

Out of that growth, the Crossover, Trucks and Sports Utility Vehicle side of the brand provided an all time record, up a huge 26% over the same period a year ago.

Out of that growth, the Rogue Compact Crossover set a monthly record, just like the Pathfinder.

The Titan and Armada models provided a three figure rise, again over the same period a year earlier, the sales for Nissan should increase as new models and refreshed models all come on stream this year.

Nissan highlights:

• Nissan Division finished March with 150,566 sales, up 1 percent and also the best month on record.
• Overall sales of Nissan crossovers, trucks and SUVs set an all-time record, up 26 percent.
• Sales of the Rogue compact crossover set a March record at 39,512, up 43 percent.
• Sales of the Pathfinder SUV had an all-time record month at 10,442, up 20 percent.
• Nissan TITAN sales climbed to 5,539, up 335 percent.
• Nissan Armada finished the month up 215 percent, with 3,094 sales.

USA SALES MARCH - MAZDA - With record sales for the MX-5, the brand records a healthy Growth.

• Fourth-Generation MX-5 Miata Records Best-Ever Sales Month

Mazda North American Operations today reported March U.S. sales of 24,549 vehicles, representing an increase of 4.9 percent versus March of last year. 

With an equal amount of selling days in 2017 as in 2016, year-to-date sales through March are up 6.8 percent versus last year, with 69,071 vehicles sold.

Key March sales notes:

• The Mazda MX-5 posted its best March since 2008 with 1,345 vehicles sold. Combined MX-5 RF and soft top sales are up 23.4 percent year-over-year, representing the fourth-generation MX-5’s best-ever sales month since going on sale in June 2015.
• Mazda CX-9 roared to an impressive March, recording 2,550 sales. With a 2079.5-percent YOY increase, this represents CX-9’s best March since 2013.
• Sales of the outgoing 2016.5 CX-5 recorded a modest 5.5-percent decline with 8,470 vehicles sold. The all-new 2017 CX-5 began arriving at dealerships nationwide during the last week in March.
• Total sales of Mazda‘s CX crossover SUV line, including the CX-3, CX-5 and CX-9, were up 13.3 percent YOY with 12,271 vehicles sold in the month of March. When making purchase decisions regarding crossover SUVs, a majority of Mazda customers continue to choose the AWD option, with 62.2 percent of CX-line vehicles sold in March being equipped with predictive i-ACTIV All-Wheel Drive.

Mazda Motor de Mexico (MMdM) reported March sales of 4,061 vehicles, flat versus March of last year.

USA SALES MARCH - VOLKSWAGEN - The tide has turned with sales growing again.

• March sales totaled 27,635 units, an increase of 2.7 percent over March 2016
• Golf SportWagen sales (which includes the all-new Alltrack) totaled 2,461 units, an increase of 154.2 percent over March 2016, resulting in the best March for the Golf SportWagen on record
• The Golf GTI delivered its best March on record with 2,010 vehicles sold
• Sales of the Chattanooga-built Passat rose 2.8 percent over March 2016 to 6,266 units

Volkswagen of America, Inc. (VWoA) today reported sales of 27,635 units delivered in March 2017, a 2.7 percent increase over March 2016. With 76,290 units delivered year-to-date in 2017, the company is reporting an increase of 10.1 percent in year-over-year sales.

The Golf family delivered 6,369 units, for an increase of 41.7 percent. The GTI, Golf R, e-Golf and Golf SportWagen each delivered their best March on record, continuing their success of the previous month.

March 2017 Sales

	March 17	March 16	Yr/Yr% change	March 17 YTD	March 16 YTD	Yr/Yr% change
Golf	1,035	1,069	-3.2%	3,342	2,942	13.6%
GTI	2,010	1,968	2.1%	5,605	5,097	10.0%
Golf R	521	404	29.0%	1,461	1,173	24.6%
e-Golf	342	86	297.7%	967	612	58.0%
Golf SportWagen	2,461	968	154.2%	6,602	2,309	185.9%
Total Golf Family	6,369	4,495	41.7%	17,977	12,133	48.2%
Jetta Sedan	9,700	10,472	-7.4%	24,563	28,022	-12.3%
Jetta SportWagen(now Golf SportWagen)	-	(1)	-100.0%	-	1	-100.0%
Total Jetta	9,700	10,471	-7.4%	24,563	28,023	-12.3%
Beetle Coupe	780	786	-0.8%	2,364	2,003	18.0%
Beetle Convertible	717	682	5.1%	1,544	1,316	17.3%
Total Beetle	1,497	1,468	2.0%	3,908	3,319	17.7%
Eos*	-	109	-100.0%	-	342	-100.0%
Passat	6,266	6,097	2.8%	18,267	14,063	29.9%
CC	216	361	-40.2%	562	991	-43.3%
Tiguan	3,270	3,519	-7.1%	10,211	9,292	9.9%
Touareg	317	394	-19.5%	802	1,151	-30.3%
TOTAL	27,635	26,914	2.68%	76,290	69,314	10.06%

*Eos production ended in July 2015