I finally dropped the Cadillac ELR from sales tracking. It has been replaced by the Tesla Model S. It pains me to do this, since Tesla Motors does not announce sales figures for the U.S. Consequently, the Tesla numbers are estimates, that I get via Inside EVs. I have not yet dropped the Plug-in Prius, as another model is due soon. If it fails to generate significant sales, it may be replaced by the Tesla Model X.
In May 2016, the plug-in sales results were mixed. Here are the April sales figures, compared to the previous month:
- Chevy Volt: DOWN 4% (1,901 vs. 1,983)
- Nissan Leaf: UP 24% (979 vs. 787)
- Plug-in Toyota Prius: UNCHANGED (4 vs. 4)
- Tesla Model S: UP 50% (1,200 vs. 800) *estimated
- BMW i3: DOWN 14% (696 vs. 814)
- BMW i8: UP 12% (146 vs. 130)
- Ford Fusion Energi: UP 9% (1,453 vs. 1,331)
- Ford C-Max Energi: DOWN 11% (538 vs. 607)
In May, the average price of gasoline continued to rise, up to $2.27 per gallon, in the U.S. This is the third month, in a row, that oil has shown an increase, over the previous month.
The Chevy Volt had another pretty good month, posting 1,901 units sold and increasing its lead over the Nissan Leaf, in total units sold, since inception.
May traffic at my dealership was spotty, with some days, seeming like a ghost town. My sales in May were the best I’ve ever recorded for the month, exceeding my previous best for May, by one vehicle.
When looking at my own sales, by vehicle, my Volt sales are still gaining on the most common item I sell, the Silverado 1500 pickup. I sold two Volts but only one Silverado 1500, in May. My total Volt sales are now at 37, while my Silverado 1500 sales are at 40. Third place in my sales is the Corvette Stingray.
Plug-in sales, compared to the same month a year ago, were mixed, with several whose sales are WAY down. The Leaf and Prius are probably suffering from iPhone Syndrome, as new, improved models have been announced and sales have started to drop, on the current models. Tesla year-over-year numbers are an eye-opener. I wonder if Model 3 news is hurting current models…
- Chevy Volt: UP 17% (1,901 vs. 1,618)
- Nissan Leaf: DOWN 53% (979 vs. 2,104)
- Plug-in Toyota Prius: DOWN 99% (4 vs. 727)
- Tesla Model S: DOWN 50% (1,200 vs. 2,400)
- BMW i3: DOWN 15% (696 vs. 818)
- BMW i8: UP 25% (146 vs. 117)
- Ford Fusion Energi: UP 47% (1,453 vs. 986)
- Ford C-Max Energi: DOWN 25% (538 vs. 715)
The Cadillac ELR was GM’s Lisa.