Of course, that means that Asian trucks are improving in unit sales numbers. Toyota is up 2 percent, due to strong volume of
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| Despite all the chatter about changing buying patterns instigated by rising fuel costs a total of 4,596,369 units were sold in the light truck segment as of July 2. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
the new Tacoma and Sienna minivan, plus steady volume of the RX and GX models in its Lexus luxury division. Honda has improved by 15 percent, because the Japanese powerhouse now has a pickup truck for the first time ever, while volume for the redesigned Odyssey minivan is bullish, plus the Acura MDX continues to be relatively popular among premium buyers. Meanwhile, Japan's number two automaker, Nissan, is up 25 percent so far this year, due to strong Titan sales, a new Frontier midsize pickup, new midsize Pathfinder SUV, new compact Xterra, and even greater interest in its odd but fun to drive Quest minivan. Murano is also still very competitive despite being one of the older crossover SUVs in the segment, and the automaker's Infiniti luxury division has experienced steady FX sales. In Canada, sales of the X-Trail compact crossover SUV have helped buoy the truck division.
Which Japanese automakers are suffering? Mazda is down by 15 percent, due to a lack of new products, Mitsubishi
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| Mazda is down by 15 percent, Mitsubishi is down by 39 percent and Subaru truck sales have fallen off by 4 percent. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press) |
is down by 39 percent, which is more of a reflection of the brand's overall sales decline, Isuzu (which is not available in Canada anymore) has dropped by 48 percent, which must hurt significantly being that the brand no longer sells cars in the U.S., Subaru truck sales have fallen off by 4 percent, a number that should pick up as a face-lifted Forester hits the market and the new B9 Tribeca starts to woo the brand's loyal clientele, and last and as far as sales numbers go, least is Suzuki, which is seeing a 3 percent reduction in light trucks sales, with a new Grand Vitara expected to boost this in the fall.
