By the Numbers - May 2009

We weren't expecting this, especially from General Motors, which was forced to sell cars and trucks last month amidst rumors of impending bankruptcy (something that came to fruition as soon as the month was over). Despite this, GM posted a decrease in sales volume of only 29.55%. Sure, GM's sales decreased last month compared to May 2008, but they decreased at a far slower rate than its major Japanese competitors: Toyota (-40.72%), Honda (-41.46%) and Nissan (-33.10%). Plus, check out the chart below and you'll notice that GM's top four performing brands – Chevy (-23.74%), Cadillac (-39.86%), GMC (-22.13%) and Buick (-16.98%) – are the same ones that will be transferred over to New GM after it emerges from bankruptcy, which is certainly a good sign.



Ford Motor Company performed best of the mutli-brand manufacturers with a sales slide of only -24.25%. The Blue Oval was helped by new product offerings like the redesigned 2010 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln MKZ, as well as an unexpectedly strong sales performance by Lincoln, which was the only brand this month that recorded a sales increase (credit the new MKS and a 103.3% increase in Town Car sales).

. Brand Volume May-09 May-08 DSR* . Ford -25.47% 137,167 184,042 -22.60% . Toyota -41.22% 135,661 230,813 -38.96% . Chevrolet -23.74% 127,510 167,202 -20.81% . Honda -41.95% 88,875 153,104 -39.72% . Nissan -32.58% 60,933 90,379 -29.99% . Dodge -48.34% 41,399 80,130 -46.35% . Hyundai -20.42% 36,937 46,415 -17.36% . Kia -16.06% 26,060 31,047 -12.83% . GMC -22.13% 23,926 30,724 -19.13% . Jeep -39.67% 21,624 35,841 -37.35% . Volkswagen -12.43% 19,568 22,346 -9.06% . BMW -27.82% 18,383 25,469 -25.05% . Subaru -5.05% 17,505 18,436 -1.40% . Lexus -36.37% 16,922 26,593 -33.92% . Mazda -40.12% 16,718 27,921 -37.82% . Chrysler -51.22% 15,987 32,776 -49.35% . Mercedes-Benz -38.18% 15,134 24,480 -35.80% . Pontiac -52.34% 13,329 27,966 -50.51% . Mercury -24.81% 10,221 13,593 -21.91% . Acura -36.42% 9,469 14,893 -33.97% . Buick -16.98% 9,160 11,033 -13.78% . Lincoln 2.40% 8,566 8,365 6.34% . Saturn -55.54% 8,046 18,099 -53.83% . Cadillac -39.86% 8,027 13,348 -37.55% . Audi -12.08% 7,503 8,534 -8.70% . Infiniti -38.10% 6,496 10,495 -35.72% . Volvo -22.95% 5,577 7,238 -19.98% . Volvo -22.95% 5,577 7,238 -19.98% . Mini -26.96% 4,610 6,312 -24.16% . Mitsubishi -58.27% 4,352 10,430 -56.67% . Suzuki -75.06% 2,585 10,364 -74.10% . Porsche -29.22% 1,979 2,796 -26.50% . Hummer -40.64% 1,094 1,843 -38.36% . Saab -63.55% 783 2,148 -62.15% . . COMPANIES . General Motors -29.55% 191,875 272,363 -26.84% . Ford Mo Co -24.25% 161,531 213,238 -21.33% . Toyota Mo Co -40.72% 152,583 257,406 -38.44% . Honda America -41.46% 98,344 167,997 -39.21% . Chrysler Group -46.88% 79,010 148,747 -44.84% . Nissan NA -33.10% 67,489 100,874 -30.52% . BMW Group -27.65% 22,993 31,781 -24.87% . . *The daily selling rate (DSR) is calculated with 26 days for May 2009 and 27 for May 2008. .