Foreign Automakers Make Gains in US
By BRIAN S. AKRE
AP Auto Writer
DETROIT (AP) -- European automakers again posted some of the biggest percentage
gains in the U.S. market last
month, while the Chrysler unit of DaimlerChrysler AG [NYSE:DAJ - news] saw sales
fall 5 percent compared with
record sales a year ago.
Most European automakers who reported Thursday had double-digit gains compared
with June 1998, which also was a
robust month for U.S. sales of cars and light trucks.
Volkswagen AG reported its strongest June in 26 years and its best month overall
since May 1979. Its sales were up 23 percent over a year ago, due in
large part to the success of its redesigned Jetta compact sedan -- the nation's
best-selling European car. VW sold 13,101 Jettas in June for its best month
since the nameplate was introduced 19 years ago.
Audi AG had its most successful June since 1987 with a 44 percent sales increase
from a year ago. Its new TT sports car was off to a strong start in its
second month. Saab AB, meanwhile, had a 34 percent sales increase last month...
[here's my editorial comment] Now let us remember what kind of a sales position
all 3 of the above mentioned marques were in back when Peugeot pulled
out in '91-'92. VW's sales had dipped down below 50K units a year, Audi was
still struggling to recover from the unintended acceleration debacle, and
Saab's annual sales hovered around the 20K mark. So Peugeot, with the strong
406 line, would've likely clearly benefitted from the current US automotive
market had it stayed.