Cars! Cars! Cars!

Which Volvo Is Next Go?

So we're reading the blokes at autoblog who wrote: Sinking Swede? Ford devalues Volvo. First of all, way to hurt Volvo's feelings. Leave it to an airplane dude to be so cold and callous (but, nice hair). Second, eh, we'd devalue them, too.

So, what we're getting at is -- a new Friday game! That's right. This new game is What Vehicle is (manufacturer) Going To Kill Off Next?

Up this week (in alphabetical order): Volvo

Volvo's Lineup (with sales for 2007):

S40: 18,215 -26.3%
S60: 18,521 -28.2%
S80: 12,354 125.%
V50: 2,856 -31.2%
V70: 3,769 -32.7%
XC70: 12,630 -3.9%
XC90: 31,358 -5.7%
C30: 2,103 100%
C70: 4,548 15.4%

So, who is in the running? Well, maybe the S40, S60, V50 and V70. Let's boot out the V70 because it's going to be all new for 2008 (the current V70 was very long in the tooth... but the new V70 gets frakkin' horrible gas mileage... holy cow must Volvo engineers be feeling mighty low at this point). So, we have the S40, S60 and V50. Let's also boot the S60 because Volvo is rumored to be making the XC60, so maybe that means an upgrade for the regular S60 as well.

So now we're down to the wee S40/V50. We recall reading Volvo is interested in a 5-door version of the C30 (which is a horrible mistake), we think the next Volvo to get the axe will be: V50.

Long live the Volvo V50.

Screw the V50. It's cool, but for $36k? Frak that.

Tundra Movin' On Up

We've been thinking a little more about Toyota becoming number two after we re-read these posts :

Kicking Tires reports: How Ford Lost The #2 Spot to Toyota.

Edmunds reports: 2007 Toyota Tundra: Best Year Ever.

We've speculated the Tundra was going to be Toyota's albatross and that still remains to be seen. According to that Edmunds link, Toyota was hoping to move 200k units of the Tundra (they sold 196k of 'em). That's a pretty significant number since these buyers had to come from the big three. In fact, let's take a look at the sales of trucks for 2007:

Ford F-series: 690,589 -13.2% over 2006
Chevy Fullsize pickups: 673,807 -2.8% over 2006
Dodge Ram: 358,295 -2% over 2006
Nissan Titan: 65,746 -9.2% over 2006
Toyota Tundra: 196,555 +54%

It looks like (with really no additional research) that Tundra sales are coming from Ford and Nissan folks. So, while Toyota has knocked Ford from the number two position, it sure seems like all big three should pretty concerned about the Tundra's movement upward.

GM Number One!

And, now, Toyota is number two. Autoblog reports: By the Numbers: 2007.

So, let's see here. Add up the BMW with the Ford, carry the, hey, where's the VW dealie? Anyway, we're looking at roughly: 14,092,314 vehicles sold. That's more than we'da guessed... But we're willing to make another stupid prediction.

Thanks to the housing market collapse, we bet we see no more than 13,500,000 sold in 2008. Too many mortgages are coming due and too many people are going to be booted out of their homes. And if the recession gets into full swing (it will), there'll be no money for a roof, let alone a ride.

Jaguar only sold 15,683 cars in '07? We're surprised they sold that many based on the models they have for sale. We know they are coming out with a new model called... the... what was it? Oh, right, the Who Cares. Good luck, Jaguar.

Two Roads: GM Takes The One Often Traveled

We liked the contrast of these two articles (even though they weren't written to be contrasty or anything):

AutoWeek reports: 2008 GMC Yukon hybrid: Welcome, alien.

The Detroit News reports: Subcompact sales boom.

So in one article we have GM making a big ol' SUV use less fuel and the other we see how, for non-US makers, subcompact sales are booming.

We wonder which strategy will work.

GMC Yukon hybrid: $50k, 21 city/22 highway (2WD)
Subcompacts: $13k+ over 30mpg in every scenario

Speaking of subcompacts, we find it interesting that Nissan seems to be the sales leader with the Versa, yet it takes 69* days to sell one compared to just 22 days for the Honda Fit. According to the article, Honda would sell more if it could make more -- you'd think Honda would make it a priority. Oh, it's also interesting that Honda claims the Fit is not eating into the sales of the Civic. We have to bet that one of Honda's models is suffering (since Honda's sales aren't up that much -- 4.6% for 2007). Wow, the Element is off by 33% this year? Sounds like Honda's gonna have to move them suckas off the lot right quick -- deal time! Sorry this turned into a Honda post.

Anyway, it's interesting to us that GM is pushing a huge hybrid SUV (for $50k!) and many others are doing well with subcompacts.

*Alison, call us.

Think 2008 Will Be Bad? Wait Until 2009 -- Mercy!

Autoblog reports: 2008 will be another long year for automakers: Dealers cutting back on orders.

For sure 2008 will be less than 2007. And as U.S. economic woes continue (they're going to get a lot worse, watch), auto sales will continue to decline. We predict 2009 will see one million fewer cars sold than in 2007.

Ford Accidently Sells Several Edges

The Detroit News reports: Ford's sales down 21 percent in September despite crossover success. So, Ford makes two vehicles that folks want. Nice.

In other news, our, um, er, market penetration into Alison Krauss territory has not lived up to expectation despite skillful comb-over and pimple-popping success.

Sales! Sales! Sales!

Autoblog reports: By The Numbers: May 2007.

What kind of effed up month was May that GM sales are up and Honda's are down? In any event, way to go, Saturn! And good riddance, Jaguar! Another example that building cars people want is a good bidness. Does anyone ever say, "Man, I gotta get me a Jaguar?" Now, we're not claiming that people get all wet and juicy for a Saturn... or do they?

Ford: We Meant To Do That

Jalopnik reports: Ford Sales Continue "Planned" Slide, Down 6.8%. OK, it's a good move to sell fewer cars to fleets (it cheapens the brand/model too much).

But, oh, Ford. You guys are always betting on some segment to help you along. First it was SUVs and now it's crossovers. Here's the deal, Ford: Build a killer car in each segment. You almost have it in the smallish mid-size category with the Fusion. Sure, the Edge is a cool crossover, but now fix up the small car segment! Fix up the high-end segment (Lincoln is for dead people at this point). Fix up the C!C!C! editor with Alison.

Holy Hybrids!

No, not holy as in THE LORD, but in sales. Edmunds reports: Hybrids continue to gain favor at Toyota. Check out these stats:

Prius sales in 2007: 52,738, up 73%
Mustang sales in 2007: 47,082, down 16%

That's serious car sales action! It makes sense with fuel prices up so much, but we were really taken by surprise that a Prius was selling this well (and the Mustang this poorly). The article mentions "Toyota's lineup of hybrids, Prius, Camry and Highlander, outsells the entire VW brand." Ha! That's insane! It's also funny that VW and the like seem to have v little interest in creating hybrids.

Detroit Canning Everyone, Everywhere

The Detroit News reports: Auto woes put dent in advertising business. This is a sad but understandable outcome: Detroit is selling fewer cars, so they are canning the companies that helped them advertise them. In some cases, Detroit companies severed ties with the advertising companies after decades of business together which has to be shocking and sad to many involved. We found this bit interesting

"There's a lot more pressure in the business," said Joe Garcia, president of BBDO in Detroit. "It's not just about doing funny television commercials anymore."

In an age of TiVo, a commerical has to be something special for us to bother rewinding the show we're watching. And funny is a good start, Mr. Garcia.