Finally, it seems as though sanity has returned to the new car marketplace, argues auto analyst Dennis DesRosiers.
In a note to clients, DesRosiers said that "with gas prices spiralling out of control in April, consumers came back to the small car and light truck markets in hordes. Sales of subcompact cars were up 17.1 per cent, compact cars up 11.3 per cent, compact sport-utility vehicles up 16.6 per cent - all in an overall market that was up only 6.9 per cent in April.
DesRosiers' observations were accompanied by the latest list of the Top 10 Best-Selling Car and Light Trucks through the end of April.
"The Honda Civic has reclaimed its top spot as the best selling passenger car both for the month and YTD (year to date)," he said, adding, "The Hyundai Elantra is seriously out-performing most other C-cars in the market, so is catching up fast. This is a battle to watch throughout the year."
Naturally, the F-Series pickup is the best selling light truck and No. 1 seller overall in the new vehicle market.
"Has been for a few decades and is not threatened by any other light vehicle," said DesRosiers, of the F-Series.
Here are Canada's top 10 cars and light trucks through the end of April:
Cars
|
2011 |
2010 |
% gain/loss |
Honda Civic |
17,181 |
17,095 |
0.50% |
Hyundai Elantra |
14,528 |
10,396 |
39.70% |
13,480 |
13,059 |
3.20% |
|
Chevrolet Cruze |
11,528 |
-- |
NA |
Mazda3 |
10,720 |
17,198 |
-37.70% |
Volkswagen Jetta |
8,522 |
3,213 |
165.20% |
Hyundai Accent |
6,781 |
8,572 |
-20.90% |
Ford Focus |
6,444 |
5,831 |
10.50% |
Hyundai Sonata |
6,283 |
4,208 |
48.80% |
Toyota Matrix |
5,418 |
6,815 |
-18.10% |
Trucks
|
2011 |
2010 |
% gain/loss |
Ford F-Series |
29,669 |
27,513 |
7.80% |
Dodge Caravan |
18,895 |
18,518 |
2.04% |
Dodge Ram |
18,163 |
16,029 |
13.30% |
GMC Sierra |
13,194 |
13,140 |
0.40% |
Ford Escape |
13,031 |
11,391 |
14.40% |
Chevrolet Silverado |
11,632 |
11,475 |
1.40% |
Dodge Journey |
11,123 |
7,026 |
58.30% |
Honda CR-V |
9,406 |
9,384 |
0.20% |
Toyota RAV4 |
8,898 |
7,553 |
15.20% |
Hyundai Santa Fe |
7,965 |
8,894 |
-14.90% |
Source: DesRosiers Automotive Consultants