February 2012 Sales

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Mar 5, 2012 | 02:44 PM

#51

JonBoy

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Joined: May 2002

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Quote:

Originally Posted by rockville

When discussing fleet sales and the big 3 we need to remember that things like rental car sales can hurt the bottom line by depressing resale. However, the big 3 also sell things like 1 ton trucks and full size vans. Those are vehicles that are largely targeted towards commercial sales. I don't know if all sales to business count as fleet (say a small farm buying a truck vs a Home Depot buying the same) but you have to figure some of those sales were in the plan from day one vs the dark days of dumping cars on rental fleets because UAW contracts didn't allow layoffs when production volumes exceeded demand.

All of which were debated/commented on ad nauseum in the original thread a long time ago.

Quote:

Jonboy, I think you are working hard to paint a rosier picture for Honda than really exists. Honda does have some issues but they are likely sound enough to weather the problems. If they address the lack luster styling (Accord, all of Acura) and interiors that got cheaper rather than nicer from one generation to the next (Civic) the company will bounce back nicely because they haven't alienated a bunch of customers, just disappointed them. I know you are a Honda fan boy and proud of it but that's cool. You aren't a jerk about it, you are respectful and you do provide data... even if we don't agree with it.

I like to paint a factual picture. I don't disagree with most SUBJECTIVE comments that people make about Honda (looks, interior on the Civic, etc, etc) - certainly, at a minimum, people are allowed to have an opinion. However, hard data suggests that they are doing quite well, primarily based on sales volume even on models that are "universally" disliked or downrated (ie, Civic). Sales are up compared to 2011 (which was headed towards a very strong year prior to April/the earthquake) and they have some very promising new powertrains/drivetrains coming down the tunnel.

I give the data as it is. I don't manipulate it and I don't sugar coat it, either. Notice I pointed out that they went from 9.9% to 9.6% market share due to poor Accord sales. You'd have never known that if I hadn't said it.

I also seem to know more about what's coming down the pipeline for Honda, which certainly allows me a higher level of optimism compared to those that are continually reading Consumer Reports.