International Brands get 48.2% Share in May 2007 US Auto Markets

International car brands now comprise 48.2 percent of the total U.S. market for automobiles in May, as they reached a total of 1,563,941 units, overall. Such huge percentage was acquired by the car makers because of their 7.2 percent increase in the May sales that totaled to 753,081 units.

In the entire US auto sales, Toyota ranked second with an overall group May sales of 269,023 units, which is the best month to date. This figure indicates a 14.1 percent increase from the May 2006 sales. Almost all the divisions of this company experienced a May increase that bolstered the company’s overall increase.

The Scion earned an 11,570 May sales. The Lexus Division posted the best-ever May sales of 31,847 vehicles – a 6.2 percent increase from last May.

American Honda Motor Co., Inc. posted May sales of 145,367 a 2.5 percent increase from May 2006. The new May sales of Honda Division was propped up by the all-time record sales of the compact Civic and subcompact Fit as well as by the new May record for the CR-V crossover SUV – which is the best-selling SUV in the U.S. The Accord, Odyssey, Pilot, as well as the light trucks also largely contributed to the increase sales.

Nissan North America reached May sales of 93,062 vehicles which is a 7.4 percent increase from May 2006. Hyundai Motor America acquired sales of 43,885 vehicles which is up three percent from the previous year and representing the best-ever May sales in the history of the company. Kia Motors America posted it best–ever May sales of 28,494 vehicles - a 7.5 percent increase from the same period last year.

The BMW Group reached a strong May sales of 30,834 units – an 8.6 percent increase from the previous year.

MINI USA saw a 12.5 increase in its May sales having 4,130 vehicles sold. Mercedes-Benz USA experienced the highest May sales recording 21,786 units sold with a slight 0.7 increase from last May.

Mitsubishi exuded its seventh consecutive month of sales increases. This was the company’s biggest month of sales in more than two years. The Japanese auto maker sold 13,651 units which is 15.5 percent higher than the May 2006 sales.

Volkswagen of America, Inc. posted 22,325 units of vehicles sold for the past month. This represents a 1 percent increase for the company. Audi of America acquired the record sales of 8,788 units for the month of May, making a 23.4 percent increase over the figures last year. So far this year, last month highest-selling one for the car brand and the seventh straight month of year-over-year gains.

Suzuki May sales rose to a very minute 0.5 percent. Such increase would not have been possible without the 44.2 percent jump in its truck lineup sales, the Suzuki XL7 sales that is 57.7 higher, the Reno/Forenza which is the company’s best-selling vehicle with 4,514 units sold.

Infiniti sales were 9.8 percent higher with 10,748 units sold. Porsche went three percent higher in May with a total of 3,348 units sold. Porsche was this lucky despite of the fact that much of the luxury sports car brand’s sales increases were coming from the non-sports cars places.

Maserati recorded 235 units sold last month that resulted to a 7.3 percent increase.

Ferrari sales rose 22.6 percent with a total of 168 units. Land Rover incurred a 7.2 percent increase in May sales with a total of 4,269 units sold. Isuzu May sales rose 10.8 percent with a total of 707 units sold.

While majority of the international brands increased during May, there were also marques and companies that experienced an overall May decline despite the increases in some of their brand segments and line-ups. The Subaru of America, for example sold 16,282 vehicles which is a 0.8 percent decrease over May 2006. This was so despite the fact that the Impreza model was up 26.3 percent. Other Subaru vehicles also increased in sales, but not sufficient enough to lift up the overall May sales of the brand.

The Acura Division posted May sales of 15,920 units - a 1.6 percent drop. Nonetheless, there are vehicles that experienced increases in sales. The latest introductions of the all-new MDX luxury SUV as well as the all-new RDX crossover SUV pushed Acura light truck sales higher with an incredible 89.9 percent - 6,635 units.

Maker of Mazda 3 part, Mazda also experienced a drop of 2 percent with its 26,788 units. Volvo Cars of North America, LLC posted 9,208 units of vehicles sold resulting to a 9.2 percent decrease over the same period last year. Saab went down to a 5.2 percent decrease as a result of the 2,872 units sold. This was so despite of the fact that its 9-3 Series cars projected an 8.6 percent increase.

Among the international brands, Jaguar experienced the most severe decline that reached 41.9 percent. The brand sold just 1,379 units.

Though non-American brands, these international car makers and marques still aim to further increase their sales gains in the US - being one of the world’s strongest economies.

Kraig Johanssen is a native of Connecticut and holds a degree in Software Engineering. He now works at a software development firm in Alabama. His love for writing and great interest on cars makes him a proficient contributing author to various automotive magazines.