USA March 2012: Nissan Altima, Honda CR-V, Toyota Prius and Ford Fusion all deliver record month

Honda CR-V

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The US market confirms its recovery, up 13% year-on-year both in March at 1,404,774 registrations and year-to-date at 3,467,496 units. The Ford F-Series leads the way with 58,061 sales, it has now been #1 for 31st consecutive months, since September 2009. The Toyota Camry is #2 for the third time in a row at 42,567 units, up 35%, followed by the Nissan Altima in incredible shape as the 2013 model just got revealed: it is up 27% year-on-year to best-ever 41,050 sales and is now also #3 year-to-date at 96,360 units, up a massive 38%.

Toyota Prius c

The two big events this month are the amazing figures the Honda CR-V and Toyota Prius delivered. While Honda’s SUV had only managed to break the 20,000 monthly units barrier a few times in the nameplate’s 17 years, the 4th generation is clearly taking it to a new level with 30,868 sales this month and a best-ever 5th place it had only reached once before, in November 2010.

2013 Nissan Altima

Prius US sales incorporate the MPV and c (aka Aqua) versions, which is in fact 3 distinct models and that explains why this month the Prius nameplate beats all its previous American records with 28,711 sales and a fantastic 6th place, its previous best being #9 in May 2007… The Ford Fusion also breaks its monthly sales record at #7 with 28,562 units. Other great performers include the Ford Focus up 65% to #8 and the Chevrolet Malibu up 54% to #14. While the CR-V shine, the Civic (-10%) and Accord (-15%) fall.

Chevrolet Volt

Brand-wise, Nissan, Hyundai and Kia all deliver their strongest ever month in the US. Nissan sells 136,317 units, up 12% on 2011, Hyundai is at 69,728 sales (+13%) and Kia breaks the 50,000 monthly units barrier for the first time at 57,505 units, up 30% year-on-year. Volkswagen for its part has its strongest March in 39 years at 36,588 sales! Outside the Top 20, the Nissan Rogue has its best-ever month with 16,972 sales at #21, the Kia Optima continues its irresistible progression, up 2 spots and 30% on February to #23 and a record breaking 15,008 units and the Chrysler 200 is up 10 ranks to #25 and 14,914 sales, here too a record figure.

Ford Police Interceptor Sedan

The VW Passat breaks the 10,000 sales mark at 10,032 units and #44 while the Subaru Impreza (8,485 sales #51) and Chevrolet Sonic (8,251 #55) both have their best-ever month. Further down, exactly one year after its US launch the Fiat 500 is up to a best-ever #94 with 3,712 sales, the Mazda CX-5 lands directly at #100 for its first full month of sales with 3,629 units and the Chevrolet Volt finally takes off: it is up 124% on February to 2,289 sales and clocks in at a record 125th position.

Honda FCX Clarity

It is also interesting to notice the Scion (aka Toyota) iQ at #159 with 1,285 sales. Other notable newcomers in the US ranking this month are the Ford Police Interceptor Sedan (28 sales) and Utility (27 sales), respectively repurposed Ford Taurus and Explorer, and the Honda FCX Clarity registering its very first unit in the country. Finally, let’s mention the Nissan Leaf stuck under 1,000 monthly sales at 578 units in March.

Previous month: USA February 2012: Ford Focus and Toyota Prius shine

One year ago: USA March 2011: Nissan Altima best-selling passenger car!

Full March 2012 Top 160 Ranking Table below.