Automaker sales reports (final)

General Motors announced better than expected U.S. sales for April 2009, with an overall drop of 34% compared with April 2008. By losing less, GM has gained market share against Toyota, but lost ground to Ford. 

Toyota’s U.S. sales fell 42% in April 2009 compared with April 2008, with Lexus falling 39%. 

Ford’s U.S. sales of Ford, Lincoln, Mercury automobiles dropped 31% in April. Ford was aided by their whisper campaign, which promoted buying Fords because GM and Chrysler were in danger of bankruptcy. The major drop at Ford was in SUVs, where sales plunged by 61%. Car models fell by 23% overall, though the new Fusion Hybrid helped raise the Fusion’s sales.

Nissan North America sales fell 38%; Mercedes’ sales fell 31%, with the Smart minicars dropping by a stunning 50%. Subaru also posted a loss. Honda fell by 25%, in line with expectations,