Are We Better Off Today?

ARE WE BETTER OFF today, than we were four years ago? I don’t want to take sides, but as far as the Detroit Three are concerned, the answer has to be, “Yes, we are!”

Four years ago, General Motors reported total August 2008 sales down 20.7% from August 2007; the report had a silver lining, however, as August marked the best month for GM sales in 2008 largely due to the popular Employee Pricing for Everyone sale the automaker has been running since Aug. 20. That is the public relations spin on a very bad month, which actually was the best month in a disastrous year

August 2012 sales numbers are out today.

Chrysler Group LLC today reported U.S. sales of 148,472 units, a 14 percent increase compared with sales in August 2011 (130,120 units), and the group's best August sales since 2007.

Ford Motor Company's U.S. total sales increased 13 percent in August compared with last year – and 19 percent for retail sales – with gains in cars, utilities and trucks

How did GM do?  I saved this for last. General Motors Co. reported August 2012 sales of 240,520 vehicles in the United States, up 10 percent compared with a year ago. GM increased its sales to retail customers by 11 percent, making August its best retail month of the year. Sales to fleet customers were up 6 percent compared with a year ago. All four GM brands posted higher total and retail sales.

This good news was not limited to the Detroit Three:

Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today reported August U.S. sales of 22,234 vehicles, representing a decrease of 1.8 percent (5.4 percent DSR) versus last year. Year-to-date sales through August are up 11.8 percent (11.3 percent DSR) versus last year, with 185,349 vehicles sold.

American Honda today reported August 2012 U.S. sales of 131,321 units, an increase of 59.5 percent compared with August 2011 (an increase of 53.6 percent based on the daily selling rate*). The Honda Division posted August 2012 sales of 115,675 units, an increase of 57.9 percent compared with August 2011. Acura's U.S. August sales of 15,646 units increased 72.8 percent compared with August 2011.

Nissan North America Sales increased 7.6 percent in August

Kia Motors America recorded its 24^th consecutive monthly sales record in August. Sales over same period last year were up 21.5 percent

Hyundai Motor America reported record August sales and Subaru of America reported August was its ninth straight month of sales gains.

This is more than great news for and about the auto industry. Somebody’s buying all of these cars and trucks. That means people are getting auto loans, money is flowing, the economy is moving again.

There will be more on the rebirth and reinvention of the U.S. auto industry in Manufacturing Renaissance due out later this month.

Today, I invite you to check out Last Chance Mile: The Reinvention of an American Community at www.rodkackley.com