Summary
With another week on the books, October auto sales look to be on track for a SAAR in the low 10 million range.
Analysis
According to the latest data from Edmunds.com October auto sales seem to be on track for a Seasonally Adjusted Annualized Selling Rate (SAAR) in the low 10 million range.
General Motor's market share, which in the early part of October stood at 22.4% has slipped slightly to 21.7% in the latest Edmunds analysis.
In terms of sales by segments, the market appears to be at a pre-Cash For Clunkers level between large SUVs and trucks compared to small cars.
Sales of compact cars during the C4C program, in full swing in late July and August soared. At the same time, sales of large trucks and SUVs fell during the C4C program. Those two segments as well are returning to more normal levels.
The market share for large trucks fell to 10.1% during C4C. It has shot up to 13.6% - above the pre-clunker level of 11.8% due to October being the industry's truck month during which incentives on trucks are hefty.
The share of large SUVs fell to 2.9% of August sales. In October, it is up to 5.7%, above the pre-clunker level of 4.7%.
Segment: Pre-Clunker: August: October:
Compact 15.9% 23.5% 15.3%
Large Truck 11.8% 10.1% 13.6%
Large SUV 4.7% 2.9% 5.7%
Automakers will report final October sales figures on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
