November 2011 Dashboard: The Rebound Continues
Published December 3, 2011
The HybridCars.com monthly sales dashboard is a collaboration of HybridCars.com and Baum & Associates, a Michigan-based market research firm focusing on automotive issues including the hybrid and electric vehicle market.
Hybrid sales continued their rebound based on increased availability. Sales in November exceeded all months except March, where availability was strong and gas prices were much higher. The Toyota Prius led the way, with the highest result since March and this one model (Regular Prius and Prius V combined) representing 58 percent of total hybrid sales. Most hybrid models offered by Lexus and Toyota experienced strong growth over October 2011, again due to availability.
The Chevrolet Volt narrowly improved on its all time monthly sales high, but unless GM can more than triple its current monthly sales record in December, it will not be enough to meet its goal of 10,000 U.S. deliveries by the end of the calendar year.
Actually, to further qualify those impressive Prius numbers, Toyota says it is lumping all Prius models under one "Prius" sales category. So, this month, 3,545 Prius V models are included in the 15,208 "Prius" sales. We only learned of the breakout this time following a random mention by Toyota this month that was offered on a call to the media. The company says the Prius C and subsequent Prius models will also be grouped, and it it has no plans to break out sub models in the Prius family. Even without the Prius V numbers, the regular Prius leads with 11,663 units sold in November.
The Ford Escape and Fusion hybrids both did very well, although the Escape hybrid will be replaced next year by the C-Max hybrid and plug-in.
Mild hybrids offered by Buick (Regal and LaCrosse) are just becoming available and should increase in the coming months, joined by the Malibu which will be sold in strong numbers in the new year.
Hybrids in November 2011 grew by 30 percent over last month and 24 percent over November 2010, far ahead of a decline of 2.5 percent or a gain of 14 percent for the overall month. In addition, hybrid sales year-to-date are only 3.4 percent below 2010 year-to-date, which is noteworthy given the lack of availability for much of the year.
Vehicle side notes: BMW X6 hybrid sales for this month are negative (-1) and the Buick Regal and Panamera S hybrids are new additions. Also the Kia Optima remains unreported, as is the Fisker Karma, and (all-electric) Tesla Roadster. Hyundai Sonata hybrid sales are again assumed at 11 percent of the total, as we have done for the last several months.
Diesel sales continue to grow, although last month volumes were only modestly above October, albeit there was strong growth vs. November 2010.
Plug-in sales increased from last month, albeit at a lower level than expected. Volt sales grew, but GM's 10,000 goal for 2011 will not likely be met. The availability of demonstrator models for sale was not enough to increase sales in November to allow the annual goal to be met. The safety issues regarding the Volt batteries resulting from federal crash testing are not thought to be a major factor in November sales. GM will certainly be working aggressively to address this issue in the coming weeks.
November 2011 Hybrid Car Sales Numbers
Hybrids sold in the U.S. (November 2011):26,110
Hybrid Take-Rate:2.63 percent
U.S. hybrid sales for November 2011
| Model | Units | vs. last month | vs. October 2010 | CYTD | vs. CYTD 2010 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Prius | 15,208 | 38.2% | 48.7% | 119,459 | -4.7% |
| Lexus CT 200h | 1,759 | 16.4% | n/a | 12,122 | n/a |
| Hyundai Sonata | 1,723 | -13.9% | n/a | 17,766 | n/a |
| Ford Escape | 1,131 | 97.4% | 48.0% | 9.009 | -12.6% |
| Ford Fusion | 993 | 15.9% | -28.9% | 10,398 | -46.2% |
| Lexus RX450h | 928 | 7.8% | -28.2% | 9,490 | -30.1% |
| Honda Insight | 749 | 52.2% | -51.2% | 14,859 | -23.1% |
| Toyota Camry | 730 | 119.2% | -25.7% | 7,444 | -44.3% |
| Buick LaCrosse | 522 | 11.0% | n/a | 819 | n/a |
| Honda Civic | 503 | 4.8% | -17.8% | 4,138 | -35.6% |
| Linc. MKZ Hybrid | 475 | -0.4% | 21.2% | 5,305 | 590.8% |
| Toy. Highlander | 322 | 34.7% | -55.4% | 3,986 | -38.7% |
| Honda CR-Z | 305 | 5.5% | -70.2% | 10,766 | 146.2% |
| Lexus HS 250h | 207 | 1.0% | -73.7% | 2,590 | -72.9% |
| Porsche Cayenne | 140 | 30.8% | 4.5% | 1,482 | 973.9% |
| Altima | 55 | 12.24% | -87.3% | 3,202 | -47.5% |
| Infiniti M35h | 46 | 39.4% | n/a | 324 | n/a |
| Buick Regal | 37 | n/a | n/a | 37 | n/a |
| Chevy Silverado | 37 | -24.5% | -2.6% | 806 | -54.1% |
| Mazda Tribute | 36 | -5.3% | -21.7% | 448 | -26.2% |
| Cad. Escalade | 30 | 0% | -62.0% | 740 | -31.4% |
| Chevy Tahoe | 28 | -20.0% | -59.4% | 479 | -63.2% |
| Porsche Panamera S | 26 | n/a | n/a | 26 | n/a |
| BMW Hybrid 7 | 25 | 177.8% | 212.5% | 287/td> | 277.6% |
| Lexus GS450h | 22 | 15.8% | 22.2% | 249 | -9.5% |
| VW Touareg Hybrid | 21 | 16.7% | n/a | 361 | n/a |
| GMC Yukon Hybrid | 21 | 8.7% | -67.7% | 549 | -50.1% |
| Mercedes S400HV | 19 | 111.1% | -51.3% | 272 | -70.2% |
| GMC Sierra | 8 | 100.0% | -86.4% | 154 | -67.8% |
| Lexus LS600hL | 5 | -37.5% | -61.5% | 75 | -33.0% |
| BMW X6 | -1 | -150.0% | -111.1 | 40 | -83.5% |
| Chevy Malibu Hybrid | 0 | n/a | -100.0% | 24 | -94.0% |
| Mercedes ML450 | 0 | n/a | -100.0% | 1 | -99.9% |
| All hybrids | 26,110 | 30.2% | 24.4% | 237,707 | -3.4% |
| All vehicles | 991,663 | -2.5% | 14.0% | 11,495,790 | 10.4% |
November 2011 Plug-in Electric Car Sales Numbers
Plug-in cars sold in the U.S. (November 2011):1,974
Plug-in Take-Rate:0.19%
U.S. plug-in electric sales for November 2011
| Model | Units | vs. last month | vs. September 2010 | CYTD | vs. CYTD 2010 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Volt | 1,139 | 2.8% | n/a | 6,142 | n/a |
| Nissan LEAF | 672 | -20.8% | n/a | 8,720 | n/a |
| Smart ED | 101 | 494.1% | n/a | 206 | n/a |
| All plug-in cars | 1,912 | 8.8% | n/a | 15,068 | n/a |
| All vehicles | 991,663 | -2.5% | 14.% | 11,495,790 | 10.4% |
November 2011 Clean Diesel Car Sales Numbers
Clean Diesels sold in the U.S. (November 2011):9,276
Diesel Take-Rate:0.94%
U.S. clean diesel sales for November 2011
| Model | Units | vs. last month | vs. October 2010 | CYTD | vs. CYTD 2010 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VW Jetta | 3,288 | -9.4% | -7.2% | 48,002 | 18.9% |
| Passat | 1,184 | 1.9% | n/a | 2,954 | n/a |
| Mercedes GL320 | 958 | 16.8% | 164.6% | 5,209 | 63.5% |
| Mercedes ML320 | 828 | -4.6% | 279.8% | 4,252 | 80.6% |
| BMW X5 | 767 | 66.7% | -0.4% | 6,258 | -12.1% |
| Volkswagen Golf | 683 | -3.8% | 53.5% | 8,969 | 78.1% |
| VW Touareg | 464 | 19.9% | 887.2% | 3.042 | 116.8% |
| BMW 335d | 307 | 9.3% | -14.2% | 3,243 | -4.0% |
| Audi A3 | 269 | 46.2% | -50.1% | 3,282 | 2.1% |
| Audi Q7 | 217 | -28.1% | -52.5% | 3,412 | 14.1% |
| Mercedes E320 | 210 | 52.2% | -26.1% | 2,580 | 314.8% |
| Mercedes S350 | 87 | -8.2% | n/a | 161 | n/a |
| Mercedes R320 | 14 | -53.3% | -41.7% | 450 | 38.0% |
| Jeep Gr Cherokee | - | n/a | -100.0% | 152 | -89.4% |
| All clean diesels | 7,885 | 2.9% | 0.7% | 81,662 | 27.2% |
| All vehicles | 991,663 | -2.5% | 14.0% | 11,495,790 | 10.4% |
24 weeks ago
$5 gas will increase hybrid's market share faster than any other way....interesting to see how many models there actually are now. The Volt is increasing while the Leaf is dropping. Both are small numbers this early on....
MrEnergyCzar
24 weeks ago
Watch out for the Smart ED! Sales are up almost 500%!
Although I don't want to pay $5 a gallon for gas, I'm better prepared for it than a vast majority of Americans.
Nissan's Leafs sales are still ahead of Chevy's Volt and it'll be interesting to see if "fire" issue with the Volt will affect Decembers sales. I think GM's handling of the issue was poor at best. To state that they're willing to buy back your Volt because of the fire issue signals to me they're lack of confidence in the quality of the car. Not that the car has a history of reliablity.
24 weeks ago
@ Capt. Concernicus, the Volt has a history of reliability. CR gives it its highest "Predicted reliability" ranking. It beats the Honda Civic Hybrid and Lexus HS Hybrid.
24 weeks ago
Toyota reports sales of Prius and Prius V as Prius, which is stupid because they are two totally different vehicles.
My estimate of split of Prius + Prius V 15,208 sales is:
Prius: 11,000
Prius V: 4,000
I deduct these numbers from the following Toyota statement: "The Prius V was the fastest-turning Toyota in November and, Carter said, its sales were “largely incremental” to sales of the pre-existing Prius model, which notched a 14-percent gain in the month."
So regular Prius gained 14% in the month. October Prius + Prius V sales were: 11,008 and then Prius V just started sales so the split was probably Prius: 10,000 + Prius V: 1,000.
24 weeks ago
So Prius V sold about 4,000 - that is very good!
In Canada Prius V outsold Prius in November 2.5 times:
http://media.toyota.ca/pr/tci/en/document/TCI_Month_End_Sales_Results_fo...
And since it was available in USA in limited numbers in November we can expect even more sales in December!
24 weeks ago
Now the total of Hybrids + EVs matches NADA total - that is good:
http://www.nada.org/NR/rdonlyres/B8C74F93-307B-4F4B-83C4-7F6CF2ACD5B1/0/...
It means that Hyundai Sonata + Kia Optima sold about 1,700 in total.
That is close to reported Hyundai October numbers: Hyundai sold 1,364 Hybrids (Sonata and Optima) in October; 6,997 Year to Date:
http://www.autoobserver.com/2011/11/october-advanced-drive-sales-still-s...
If you look at cars.com availability in whole USA you can see that there are 1,230 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid models available and 809 Kia Optima Hybrid models available. So the split for November was probably:
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid: 1,000
Kia Optima Hybrid: 700
24 weeks ago
I am worried about Honda low sales numbers :(
cars.com shows that there are 1,312 Honda Insight models available today and that number on December 1 was 1,332. So it looks like Insight was available in November in good numbers but only 749 were sold. :(
Honda Civic Hybrid availability is even worse: 2,838 :(
Honda CR-Z availability: 971 :(
Honda is totally failing with their Hybrids :( - The market for Hybrids in subcompact class is very small. In Honda Civic the battery blocks access from trunk to salon so it also limits the sales - see how Prius V sales jumped in comparison to sedans in midsize class.
What Honda needs to compete is a bigger Insight - with the same size as Prius, and Accord Wagon Hybrid to compete with Prius V.
I cannot believe they are stupid enough not to get it up to now. :(
24 weeks ago
Now with Prius V success I hope Toyota is smart enough to bring RAV4 hybrid soon to fill small crossover market which takes about 15% of US market share.
Unfortunately Ford Escape hybrid was not able to generate good sales numbers in that market because in my opinion it was 1) too expensive at $30,570, 2) not trusted enough in reliability as the brand, 3) the possibility of battery replacement cost of $6,000 scared the prospective buyers.
A $27,500 RAV4 Hybrid would not have all the above weaknesses and in my opinion can easily sell 4,000+ a month.
24 weeks ago
Toyota confirms that strong yen makes Hybrids imports to US unprofitable - planning to move more production to USA.
http://www.autonews.com/article/20111205/OEM06/312059959/1186
24 weeks ago
honda hybrids (civic, insight, and cr-z) are a total failure. honda will soon have no choice but to recognize that these 3 cars will always remain in the shadow of the toyota prius until they improve them significantly.
next year will be different once they release the honda fit BEV and honda fit plug in. hopefully they will be quick with production of both.
the fire issue with chevy volt IMHO is just the same like the "unintended acceleration/brake failure" of the toyota prius. GM is smart to offer to buy back chevy volts to "fix" the fire issue (if there is any issue at all) or else, you'll never know when another american clown will lit its volt on fire and make a big fuss out of it (just like the old faggot clown who complained of unintended acceleration/brake failure of his toyota prius)
24 weeks ago
It doesn't make sense for Toyota and Hyundai reporting Prius v and Optima Kia hybrid together. The actual figure of Prius v sold in November is 3,545 units, see Toyota's Newsroom here: http://pressroom.toyota.com/releases/november+2011+sales+conference+call...
24 weeks ago
It doesn't make sense for Toyota and Hyundai reporting Prius v and Optima Kia hybrid together with other vehicles.
The actual figure of Prius v sold in November is 3,545 units, see Toyota's Newsroom here: http://pressroom.toyota.com/releases/november+2011+sales+conference+call...
24 weeks ago
Mariordo,
Thank you very much for Prius V numbers!
I was very close in my estimate :)
24 weeks ago
Now as manufactures report the Hybrids production is back to normal (except Toyota Camry Hybrid):
http://www.autoobserver.com/2011/12/why-nissans-disaster-recovery-bested...
It is time to analyze the sales!
Now that fuel prices up 15% in comparison to November of 2010 and more hybrid models are available we should expect much more sales but that did not happen. Why?
In my opinion in general Hybrids suffered from ICE cars improved fuel economy. Honda Hybrids with low fuel economy suffered the most.
A glaring example is Honda CR-Z. In my opinion Honda CR-Z has fallen to the new competitor Hyundai Veloster (November sales: 2,538). Veloster offers almost the same fuel economy more power but seats twice more - four people.
Honda Insight has fallen to host of new subcompacts that offer 40 mpg highway.
Toyota Prius sales were up 13% in comparison to November of 2010 - so Prius was able to hold its ground due to high MPG.
24 weeks ago
Honda Insight is still the best value for the Money at $18000.00.
24 weeks ago
Yes, Honda Insight is still the best value and the real world MPG is great - 48 mpg.
But unfortunately what people see is the window sticker which 41/44/42 mpg and that is better but not a lot better than ICE 30/40/33 mpg.
24 weeks ago
@Charles,
How can the Volt have a history of reliability? How long has it been out? A year...maybe? That's not quite long enough to have a history of anything. And if it is then the Volt doesn't have a good one because GM is willing to buy their Volts back if the owners want to get rid of them.
24 weeks ago
OK, I can no longer claim to not have seen a single Sonata Hybrid. (Saw one for the first time last week.) I still think the 11% "assumption" is way off and can't possibly be true.
24 weeks ago
November sales:
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid: 1,175 (YTD: 8,172)
Kia Optima Hybrid: 524
http://www.autoobserver.com/2011/12/hybrid-sales-soar-in-november.html
I was close in my estimate :)
Buick Regal eAssist: 37
24 weeks ago
Japan news:
Toyota Prius November sales whooping 34,164!
It far outsold the second place Honda Fit 16,399.
http://translate.google.ca/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&u=http://www.jada.or.jp...
24 weeks ago
Want some real world figures on the Prius?
Me: 2005 Prius w/84K..........51.7 MPG (95% highway)
Wife: 2008 Prius w/32K........47 MPG (80% local)
I haven't seen any Insight top this. I'll say it again, these two units are the best vehicles we've ever owned! Why else would we have bought a second one?
24 weeks ago
I agree with Nelson Lu (who came up with 11% - Hyundai???)
I've seen a Volt on the road and at least 3 different Leafs. According to above I should have seen at least as many Sonata Hybrids - I think maybe I saw 1...Not even close
BTW I think the Volt problem is blown way out of proportion by the media. Several days after a crash the battery catches fire?!? Compare that with instant and deadly fires when many conventional cars catch fire in an accident...
24 weeks ago
Why can Edmunds get claimed official Hyundai and Kia numbers, and this site cannot? Or is Edmunds just using estimates and passing it off as real numbers? It would be nice to see the Kia's numebrs added to this total. It is good to see that the hybridcars estimate of Sonatas seems to be finally realistic. Now it's time to adjust the fake YTD number.
Also, Volts need to be added to the hybrid list. When the plug in Prius debuts, are you going to split Prius sales into 2 charts?
Adding the Volt and the Kia and adjusting the Soanata, I see 27225 hybrid sales, or 2.75% of the market. A small difference, but significant as it approaches 3%.
Adding BEVs (and why not) the percentage is 2.81%
I guess I just like to see the HEV, PHEV, EREV and BEV sales far eclipse the diesel sales, so every one counts :)
23 weeks ago
I don't think lumping the Prius and v sales together is stupid. I'm sure the Accord coupe and Crosstour are combined with sedan, as is Altima coupe, Camry hybrd, fusion hybrid and so on. How about Civic? they combine sales figures of the 4 door, coupe, Si, natural gas and hybrid all together. Those are all distinct cars.
23 weeks ago
What Honda needs to compete is scrap IMA and go full hybrid. But, Honda is spread thin. They're into everything, cars, largest motorcycle mfr., generators, and HondaJet. They'll go full hybrid eventually, but it's going to be some years from now.
23 weeks ago
Insight II's trouble is can't even consider it a car for 4 bigger adults. 2 adults and 2 children / smaller adults ok. Toyota is blowing out 2011 Pri for $21.5k, so most just get Prius. IMA is alright, but I prefer a full hybrid.
23 weeks ago
It appears the BIG picture is being missed while flowery reviews of hybrid sales compared to last month are espoused; the maxim, "can't see the forest for the trees", comes to mind.
YTD hybrid sales are down 3.4% while the rest of the auto industry is surging with an increase of 10.4% despite gas prices that have been higher ALL year when compared to 2010.
People just don't view hybrids as a good investment for the added cost. That won't change anytime soon short of massive fuel price increases or government diktats and NO ONE should be wishing for either of those.
23 weeks ago
1. Honda stopped calling Crosstour - Accord Crosstour - now it is just Crosstour (see their website). Sales are reported separately.
2. Accord Sedan and Accord Coupe have the same size although in my opinion they should be reported separately because they have different bodies. The same goes for Civic Sedan and Civic Coupe.
3. Civic ICE, Civic Hybrid and Civic CNG share the same body.
4. Prius and Prius V have different:
1) bodies
2) weight
3) width
4) height
5) passenger volume
6) cargo volume
They have everything different except engines. But it is not the reason to count them together - Honda Accord V6 and Honda Ridgeline have the same engine but nobody in the right mind would count them together.
22 weeks ago
Prius V sales at 3,545 not only is #2 behind Prius Regular, but it also outsold 3,498 units of Hybrid versions of Sonata, Fusion, Camry & Altima. Thats great.
Also the Prius + Prius V sales are 15,208 units have come so close to Corolla + Matrix sales of 16,115 units. Day is not far and Prius will overtake Corolla and close towards Camry.
22 weeks ago
If you look at cars.com availability in whole USA you can see that there are 1,230 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid models available and 809 Kia Optima Hybrid models available. So the split for November was probably:
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid: 1,000
Kia Optima Hybrid: 700 http://windshieldreplacement-houston.net/windshield-replacement-sugar-la...
21 weeks ago
229,530 Units of Prius was sold in Japan from Jan-Nov. Not bad despite the quake impact.
119,459 Units were sold in USA and thats a total of 348,989 for 11 months.
So worldwide total this year should be 400,000 units +.
Expect next year to be 500,000 + especially with Prius C coming in.
20 weeks ago
Hybrid share is moving up and prices are only slightly increasing. Maybe people are tired of paying over $3.00 with the threat of over $4?
12 weeks ago
So $5 gas is ok in your view? $5 gas is ridiculous. Plainly the US is not prepared to transition to electric so fast. Our entire ecomony is built on gasoline. Your point is mute and your view is skewed
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