Asian car manufacturers have been having and experiencing major success in the United States auto market. Last month marked the highest share in the country's auto market cornered by the combined Asian car manufacturers. As can be expected, Japan's Big Three are leading the charge.
Toyota, Honda and Nissan posted an increased sale for the month of June. Combined, Japanese and south Korean carmakers cornered 42.7 percent of the United States auto market last month. That is an increase of eleven percent as compared to June of 2006.
Of the three biggest Asian car manufacturers, it was Nissan who posted the highest sales increase of the three Japanese automakers. The third largest Japanese car manufacturer reported an increase of 23 percent in their June sales. For Honda, the second largest Japanese car manufacturer posted an increase of 11 percent. Toyota, meanwhile, recorded an increase of 10 percent.
In contrast, market share for Michigan's automakers dropped to just 50.3 percent. Sales for General Motors, Ford and Chrysler all went down. For General Motors, the sales drop was posted at 21.3 percent. Ford, meanwhile, reported that their sale for the month of June dropped by 8.1 percent. Chrysler suffered a modest 1.4 percent sales slump.
The success of Asian carmakers in the United States auto market is, of course, attributed to the increasing price of gasoline which shows no sign of letting up. Since Asian branded vehicles comes with the perception that all Asian cars are fuel efficient, they are the first choice of car buyers looking for vehicles with good fuel economy. Another reason is reliability, although General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler are almost shouting to consumers that their cars are as reliable as Asian cars, consumers are still sold to the idea that Asian vehicles are more reliable.
"Gas prices are tied to Japanese car sales in the U.S., so high prices in May boosted sales, particularly of small cars," said Takahashi Aoki, the manager of the Mizuho Asset Management Co.
Jack Nerad, a senior market analyst for Kelley Blue Brooks, has this to say concerning the car buying trend in the United States: "There is still the perception of quality and reliability for the Asians that the domestics don't seem to be able to match. Any fuel-price increase is always a positive for the Asians, and the Japanese specifically, again mainly based on perception."
Nissan's sales increase is fueled by the popularity of its Altima sedan. Although facing tough competition in the form of the Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord along with the reigning North American Car of the Year, the Saturn Aura, the Altima stood its ground in terms of sales. According to the Japanese car manufacturer who also markets , they sold 83 percent more Altima sedans last month compared to June of 2006.
Aside from the Altima sedan, other Nissan vehicles which have posted strong sales for the month of June are the Nissan Sentra and the Versa. The strong sale for the Altima, Sentra, and Versa helped offset the declining sale for the Nissan Titan and the Nissan Quest. The luxury division of Nissan, Infiniti, also posted increased sales for the month of June.
With the Asian Big Three posting increased sale, it would seem that the prediction that the American Big Three will lose the majority of the market share to foreign car manufacturers is about to come true.
