ALEXANDRIA, Va. -

Despite some mixed results for foreign nameplates, the American International Automobile Dealers Association declared March as another successful month for the recovering U.S. market.

AIADA pointed out new-vehicle sales of both international and domestic models exceeded many analysts’ predictions, finishing the month up 16.9 percent from March of last year. The association indicated some of the biggest gains were seen by Honda (up 25.4 percent from a year ago), Hyundai (up 31.6 percent year-over-year), and Nissan (up 28.4 percent from a year ago).

However, the association conceded that Toyota saw sales fall 6.7 percent, and smart had a 37.2-percent drop.

On the domestic side, AIADA noted Ford sales outpaced General Motors for the second time since 1998 and just the third time since 1970.

International Nameplates Boost Market Share

During March, the association discovered international brands gained 2.8 percent of market share from February to finish the month with 56.6 percent of all vehicles sold in the United States, the highest so far in 2011.

AIADA found Asian automakers held a 48.5 percent share of the market, up from 46.1 percent in February, while European automakers held an 8.1 percent share, up from 7.7 percent in February.

All told, the association calculated international brands sold 706,477 vehicles during the month, up from 535,025 in February and 607,383 in March 2010. Of that figure, Asian nameplates sold 604,943 vehicles, logging a 15.7-percent increase in sales over March of last year. AIADA said European OEMs sold 101,534 units, representing a 20-percent increase against last March.

The association added domestic brands sold 540,146 vehicles in March for 43.3 percent of the market.

Analysis of Top-Selling Vehicles

AIADA highlighted international nameplates held six of the top 10 selling vehicle spots during March, which was consistent with the previous month.

The Ford F-Series and Chevrolet Silverado remained the top two selling vehicles. However, the association found the Nissan Altima jumped from the seventh spot in February to the second spot in March, overtaking the Toyota Camry to be the top selling car in the U.S.

The Altima was followed by the Honda Accord at No. 4 and the Camry at No. 5.

AIADA mentioned the Hyundai Sonata rejoined the top 10 list for the first time since last October with sales of 22,894 units, up 20.9 percent since March of last year.

With the exception of the Toyota Camry — which was down 13.2 percent — the association emphasized every vehicle on the top 10 list experienced an average 21.3 percent year-over-year improvement.

Of that contingent, AIADA said the Honda Civic’s gain was the most significant with sales up 39 percent, followed by the Nissan Altima (up 31 percent), Ford F-Series Pickup (up 25.3 percent) and Ford Escape (up 25 percent).

Looking at Sales Performance by Vehicle Segment

Despite rising gas prices, AIADA pointed out Americans continued to purchase SUVs and crossovers at a higher rate than any other vehicle segment.

The association indicated franchise dealers sold 367,826 SUVs and crossovers in March, a total that was 12.3 percent higher the same month last year. The mid-size car segment trailed in second place with sales of 320,251 units, up 19.1 percent over March 2010.

However, AIADA conceded the small-car segment experienced the most significant jump with sales of 238,257 units which was up 32.1 percent from March of last year.

All segments experienced growth in March, according to AIADA, with the exception of the large-car segment, which slid down 7.4 percent.

The association tallied that Asian nameplates sold 383,900 cars and 221,043 trucks in March while European brands moved 74,901 cars and 26,633 trucks.
AIADA added domestic nameplates registered sales of 195,288 cars and 344,858 trucks.

AIADA Offers Sales Outlook

AIADA computed March’s overall sales — including domestic brands and unadjusted for business days — were up 16.9 percent from March of last year.

The seasonally adjusted annual rate for light vehicle sales in March was estimated by AutoData Corp. at 13.1 million units, up from 11.73 million in March of last year.

AIADA stressed the SAAR has risen every quarter since October 2009.

“The sales rate has been climbing steadily for more than a year,” AIADA president Cody Lusk went on to say.

“If gas prices remain high through the spring and summer, dealers expect customers to continue to focus their buying power on fuel efficient vehicles,” Lusk concluded.