Domestics vs. Imports – U.S. Auto Market Share Through Two-Thirds Of 2011

We’re a week away from finding out just how many new vehicles were sold in September and in the first three quarters of 2011. But we’ve had information on the first two-thirds of 2011 for weeks now. 

With that information in hand, let’s take a look at the big picture: Domestics vs. Imports. In addition, there are three more charts below which present a continental market share break down, brand-by-brand, from the United States, Europe, and Asia.

U.S. auto sales are up 10.5% year-to-date. Compared with the January-August of 2010, new vehicle sales have risen to 8,465,186 from 7,7662,414.

By way of eleven automakers – Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Ddoge, Ford, GMC, Jeep, Lincoln, Ram, and Mercury’s 248 sales – domestic brands owned 47.1% of the new vehicle market in America over the first eight months of 2011. Japan’s share of the U.S. market – with Acura, Honda, Infiniti, Lexus, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Scion, Subaru, Suzuki, and Toyota – was 34.8%. The two Korean brands, Hyundai and Kia, grabbed 9.1% of the market. Finally, data for 20 European brands (six of which use ANDC estimates) shows 758,491 sales, or 9% of the U.S. auto market. 

The European brands are Aston Martin*, Audi, Bentley, BMW, Ferrari*, Fiat, Jaguar, Lamborghini*, Land Rover, Lotus*, Maserati, Maybach*, Mercedes-Benz, Mini, Porsche, Rolls-Royce*, Saab, smart, Volkswagen, and Volvo. An * indicates estimated sales of 536, 1092, 190, 152, 36, and 228, for Aston, Ferrari, Lambo, Lotus, Maybach, and Rolls, respectively.

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Simple math says that, in the Domestics vs. Imports war, the Imports win 52.9% to 47.1%. Now would be a good time to point out that, through eight months of 2010, Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep/Ram, the Ford Motor Company, and General Motors owned just 45.1% of the market. Now would also be a good time to point out that Japan’s March 11 earthquake wreaked havoc on automotive production, and therefore automotive sales, around the globe. 

And now would be a good time to point out that many vehicles American automakers have recently brought to market would likely have steered the domestics toward greater market share even if there hadn’t been dreadful circumstances affecting Japan’s auto manufacturers. Compact car sales at General Motors, for example, are up 88.4% thanks to the wildly successful Chevrolet Cruze. That has little to do with Toyota’s troubles.

Scroll past the jump for a more in-depth look at brand-by-brand U.S. auto industry market share.

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Two domestic brands are responsible for nearly two-thirds of domestic auto brand sales in their home market. Ford has sold 1,366,780 new vehicles this year. That’s up 18% from the first two-thirds of 2010. Chevrolet sales stood at 1,206,322 through eight months, up 15% from 2010’s pace. 

Broken down by corporations, General Motors’ market share in the domestic field is at 42.5% through August. Ford Motor Company is at 35.7%. The Chrysler Group, without Fiat and Maserati and the hugely vital Ferrari division, is currently a hair under 22%. 

The vast majority of European brands aim for a higher price point. This inevitably leads to lower volume, also known as greater exclusivity. Volkswagen, particularly when Audi’s included, is far and away the most dominant European player competing in America. But BMW and Mini grab more than a quarter of all European auto sales in the U.S. Mercedes-Benz is above one-in-five. 

For specific volume numbers, check out The Good Car Guy’s U.S. Auto Sales By Brand post for August 2011.

Nearly one out of every four Asian cars sold in the United States (many of which happen to be made in North America, remember) are Toyotas. In truth, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A’s total is significantly higher thanks to the Scion and Lexus brands. At 28.4%, Toyota is very clearly the dominant force among Asian brands competing in America.

Acura sales are down 8% this year; its parent brand Honda is off by 5%. Together, the two brands form more than one out of every five Asian-brand auto sales in America. Hyundai and Kia are just a little bit better with 20.8% of all Asian auto sales in America this year. Nissan and Infiniti are next up with 18.3%. From Nissan on down, no other Asian auto brand comes close. 

Related From GoodCarBadCar.net

U.S. Auto Brand Market Share – August 2011

Top 20 Best-Selling Cars In America – August 2011

Top 10 Best-Selling SUVs In America – August 2011

Top 10 Best-Selling Trucks In America – August 2011

Top 30 Best-Selling Luxury Vehicles In America – August 2011