The automotive industry released the sales figures for the month of May, which can be safely called the month of the SUV. In the overall rankings for segments, the midsize SUV was up 48.9 percent from May 2010. The small SUV went up 9.6 percent and brought total SUV sales up 14.8 percent from last year. The only other segment to increase sales from last year was the small car, which only increased 2.5 percent from May 2010.
Topping the rankings for individual vehicles was once again the Ford F-Series pickup. The all-American truck sold 42,399 units during the month of May, which was however down 15 percent from last year. Second to the F-Series for May was Chevrolet’s work-horse, the Silverado. Chevy sold 28,409 units and like the F-Series, that figure was down from last May by 15 percent. On the other side of the segment, the Hyundai Elantra was a success for May as its sales were up 104.5 percent from May 2010.
The manufacture ratings revealed the “Big Three” to be on top. Chevrolet came out first for May with a total of 221,192 units sold, Ford second with 116,198 units and Chrysler sold 115,363 cars and trucks. Toyota was the only other manufacture to break into the hundred thousands with 108,387 total units sold in May. That was, however, down 33.4 percent from last year. The numerous recalls might have something to do with that figure.
On the other end of the spectrum, Ferrari sold 123 cars while in America, only two Maybachs were sold during May. For May 2011, there were a total of 1,061,719 cars and trucks sold over the course of 24 selling days which was down 3.7 percent from May 2010.
For the full list of facts and figures, click the link to the Wall Street Journals chart.
Source: The Wall Street Journal
