This is the first monthly count for the year and it will be a gloomy one. Auto sales for January 2009 just came in, and just like in the last few month of 2008, just about every automaker bled like a waterfall. Going back to tradition, the domestic automakers–GM (-48.8%), Ford (-40.2%) and Chrysler (-54.8%)–suffered the most. The big three Japanese automakers also had big losses but not as great as their American counterparts. Toyota saw a decrease of -34.4%; Honda, -42.5%; and Nissan, -56.5%.
There were a few brights spots, however. Hyundai saw an increase in its sales by 14.3% from the same month last year; its sister brand, Kia, also increased its sales by more than 3%. Subaru, unexpectedly, increased its sales by 8%. These three brands were the only bright spots in an otherwise gloomy month.
