With just twenty-two days until Christmas, here’s my gift to you: The November 2013 Sales Numbers!!! (okay, I’m cheap…)
“Steady as she goes,” would have been the motto at both Chevrolet and Nissan for November it seems. The Leaf posted one more unit, than the previous month (2,003 vs. 2,002). The Volt fared a little worse, managing 95% of the previous month’s sales (1,920 vs. 2,022). The 1,920 Volts represented 99% of the average sales per month for the previous twelve months, 1,945 units. As you can see from the upper graph though, the Volt’s monthly sales have jumped around pretty wildly, especially between May and October. The Leaf fared better here as well, with its 2,003 units in November representing 11% more sales than the average monthly unit sales for the previous twelve months (1,798).
The Leaf is slowly but surely, gaining on the historical sales growth rate of the original Toyota Prius. The Volt has increased its gain on the original Prius’ sales rate and is now 1,288 units ahead (52,160 vs. 50,872)! I had been concerned that, with the three Tesla fires and the resulting news frenzy, that sales of the Volt would suffer, however my first-hand experience tells me that Volt sales (at least at my dealership) are running along at a nice clip. If I had to pick any event that negatively affected the Volt’s sales in November, it would be the end of the GM leasing incentive. The 2013 Volt’s lease deal in October was $299 down, $299 per month for three years. That ended at the end of October. Currently the same Volt would now lease for $299 only if the lessee made a substantially higher down payment. However, November and December causes one’s thought to turn to the coming end of the year and next year’s Income Tax. Many who would have leased before, are now eyeing the $7,500 tax credit like a package wrapped under a Christmas tree. It isn’t such a long wait until they can unwrap it.
The Plug-in Prius, on the other hand, suffered a major decline in sales, down 47%, compared to the previous month (1,100 vs. 2,095). But the previous month was a high water mark for the Prius, it having never crested the 2,000 unit threshold before October.
The one non-EV on the list, the Corvette Stingray, showed a sizable 36% decline, but still posted its second-best month in the time period being covered (2,527 vs. 3,929). I’ve seen many, many people come in to ask about the Stingray and every one that has arrived at our dealership was sold before we received it. (the cars, not the people)
The price of gasoline did not vary much between October and November, declining just 3% and did not seem to be having much of an affect on EV sales, although the November average price was the lowest average price since last January.
Just the four EVs being tracked on this chart represent 132,523 cars sold in the U.S., and since Tesla Motors only releases sales results for the Model S quarterly, we know the number is higher than that.
EV sales are growing, and on a related note, so is the number of subscribers to this blog. As of tonight, there are 568 subscribers to My Electric Vehicle Journey, with 36 joining us today! Thank you all for your readership. I am honored.
On a personal note, we have moved into our new home. The chargers were hung in the garage with care, in hope that our Volts could soon squeeze in there. Last Sunday, we succeeded in cleaning out the garage enough that they both are in the garage charging right now!
