Chrysler and Toyota gain while GM, Ford fall

As you scan the interweb for news of April sales numbers today, be careful. There were two less selling days in April of this year compared to 2006 (24 vs. 26). On account of this, other media outlets are painting a bleaker picture by comparing the raw numbers for April in 2006 and 2007. When you compare the daily average sales rate (DSR), as we have, it's apparent the month isn't as bad as some are saying.

The Chrysler Group deserves the biggest kudos for its 10% gain last month compared to last year, made possible by the incredible 40% jump in DSR by the Jeep brand. Chrysler and Dodge were both up too by 7.2% and 2%, respectively. While Toyota's raw numbers were down compared to last April, the automaker's North American operations actually improved its DSR by 3.7%. Given another two days, Toyota would've easily beat last year's numbers on the 14.1% and 2.3% improvements made by its Lexus and Toyota divisions.

At General Motors, only GMC (up 16.7%) and Saturn (up 28.5%) had a good April. The rest of the General's brands dragged it down to a loss of 2.2% as a whole for the month. Over at Ford, only Lincoln (up 15.8%) and Land Rover (up 22.1%) improved in April, though neither brand sold enough units to change fortunes for Ford, which fell as a whole by 5.7%.

Biggest Winner
Jeep 40% at 41,200 (4/06: 31,885)

Biggest Loser
Buick –28.2% at 13,234 (4/06: 19,971)

BRANDS
Acura –15% at 15,193 (4/06: 19,372)
Audi 18.5% at 8,106 (4/06: 7,412)
BMW 8.6% at 25,310 (4/06: 25,250)
Buick –28.2% at 13,234 (4/06: 19,971)
Cadillac 1.8% at 16,839 (4/06: 17,916)
Chevrolet –3.9% at 185,759 (4/06: 209,320)
Chrysler 7.2% at 51,441 (4/06: 51,979)
Dodge 2% at 100,463 (4/06: 106,231)
Ford –6.9% at 185,553 (4/06: 215,824)
GMC 16.7% at 41,748 (4/06: 38,769)
Honda .6%% at 1111,226 (3/06 119,752)
HUMMER –12.4% at 4,375 (4/06: 5,413)
Hyundai 3.3% at 39,137 (4/06: 41,025)
Infiniti 12% at 9,945 (4/06: 9,618)
Isuzu –7.1% at 1,059 (4/06: 1,235)
Jaguar –22% at 1,424 (4/06: 1,991)
Jeep 40% at 41,200 (4/06: 31,885)
Kia 1.32% at 26,007 (4/06: 27,807)
Land Rover 22.1% at 4,211 (4/06: 3,736)
Lexus 14.1% at 25,995 (4/06: 24,679)
Lincoln 15.8% at 11,832 (4/06: 11,067)
Mazda 1.9% at 21,060 (4/06: 22,385)
Mercedes 6.4% at 20,895 (4/06: 21,270)
Mercury –7% at 17,481 (4/06: 20,368)
MINI 10.6% at 3,382 (4/06: 3,313)
Mitsubishi 20.4% at 12,047 (4/06: 10,841)
Nissan –14% at 61,179 (4/06: 77,102)
Pontiac –13% at 26,346 (4/06: 32,793)
Porsche –2.2% at 3,015 (4/06: 3,341)
Saab –19% at 2,350 (4/06: 3,144)
Saturn 28.5% at 19,977 (4/06: 16,843)
Subaru –7% at 13,786 (4/06: 16,073)
Toyota 2.3% at 184,462 (4/06: 195,286)
Volkswagen .7% at 19,086 (4/06: 20,528)
Volvo –9.6% at 8,122 (4/06: 9,736)

Not reported:

Suzuki

COMPANIES
BMW Group 8.8% at 28,692 (4/06: 28,563)
Chrysler Group 10% at 193,104 (4/06: 190,095)
Ford Motor Co –5.7% at 228,623 (4/06: 262,722)
General Motors –2.2% at 311,687 (4/06: 345,404)
Honda America –1.6% at 126,419 (4/06: 139,124)
Nissan North America –11% at 71,124 (4/06: 86,720)
Toyota Motor Co. 3.7% at 210,457 (4/06: 219,965)