"Looking ahead, consumer confidence and Wall Street indicators are going up while interest rates remain low," added Dilts.
The question remains if this hostile takeover of third place in sales is a one time event or a sign of things to come? On Chrysler's side a bevy of new models is about to be unleashed, its brand image is growing stronger every month and quality levels continue to improve with each survey.
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| On the bright side for Chrysler, its brand image is growing stronger every month and quality levels continue to improve with each survey. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
Toyota has no problems with quality, but is only updated a small assortment of models over the next quarter, which traditionally means buyers are less intrigued to buy.
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| Was August just a lucky month for Toyota, or is this a preview of what is to come? Either way, it's an important occasion. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
In the end August's anomaly might be just that, a freak fluctuation brought about by a dip in Chrysler Group sales by some 6 percent to 190,388 units in the U.S. alone, and the best month for Toyota in its 46 year North American history which saw at total of 200,482 new light vehicles leaving the brand's U.S. dealerships.
Whether we have just witnessed history in the making, a changing of the guard that had previously dominated the number three position for almost half a century, or a mere fluctuation that will rectify itself when the market turns to Chrysler's favor, it's an important occasion in autodom.