A very small part of Korea’s increases can be accounted for by the 2011 Hyundai Equus. Hyundai sold 196 of their big luxury sedans in December 2010, a small total to be sure but one that shouldn’t be mocked in light of Hyundai’s stature in America just a decade ago. Combined Genesis sedan and coupe sales were up 3% in December. Meanwhile, the 2011 Kia Optima is only starting to gain traction in the marketplace. Sales of the 2011 model were actually down compared with last year’s figures. However, the new Optima was still competing with the cut-price 2010 Optima for sales. Together, sales were up 57%.
Both Korean brands were among the ten best-selling auto brands in America in December. There were three Japanese brands, no European brands, and five Detroit-based companies.
Rank
|
Automaker
|
December 2010
|
% Change
|
#1
|
Ford
|
174,523
|
+9.7
|
#2
|
Chevrolet
|
147,960
|
+9.1
|
#3
|
Toyota
|
145,972
|
-6.1
|
#4
|
Honda
|
114,127
|
+18.2
|
#5
|
Nissan
|
81,228
|
+26.3
|
#6
|
Hyundai
|
44,802
|
+32.6
|
#7
|
GMC
|
42,159
|
+35
|
#8
|
Dodge
|
32,390
|
-6.4
|
#9
|
Jeep
|
30,910
|
+48.5
|
#10
|
Kia
|
30,444
|
+44.6
|
#11
|
Lexus
|
27,560
|
-3.5
|
#12
|
Subaru
|
26,694
|
+15.7
|
#13
|
Ram
|
24,270
|
+87
|
#14
|
Volkswagen
|
23,867
|
+17.1
|
#15
|
BMW
|
23,280
|
+15.7
|
#16
|
Mazda
|
21,479
|
+17.7
|
#17
|
Mercedes-Benz
|
21,469
|
+7.2
|
#18
|
Buick
|
17,095
|
+39.7
|
#19
|
Cadillac
|
16,718
|
+13.4
|
#20
|
Acura
|
15,489
|
+46.5
|
#21
|
Chrysler
|
13,132
|
-27.5
|
#22
|
Infiniti
|
12,502
|
+37.3
|
#23
|
Audi
|
10,546
|
+16.8
|
#24
|
Mercury
|
8393
|
-10.5
|
#25
|
Lincoln
|
8060
|
-23
|
#26
|
Mitsubishi
|
4874
|
+11.9
|
#27
|
Volvo
|
4756
|
-15.6
|
#28
|
Mini
|
4320
|
+23.8
|
#29
|
Scion
|
3956
|
+4.9
|
#30
|
Land Rover
|
3695
|
+2.8
|
#31
|
Suzuki
|
2647
|
+40.4
|
#32
|
Porsche
|
2567
|
+21.2
|
#33
|
Jaguar
|
1180
|
-5.3
|
#34
|
Saab
|
1074
|
+23.7
|
#35
|
smart
|
570
|
-34
|
#36
|
Bentley
|
197
|
+19.4
|
#37
|
Maserati
|
180
|
+56.5
|
Source: Automakers & Automotive News Data Center
Related From GoodCarBadCar.net
U.S. Auto Sales By Brand – January 2011
U.S. Auto Sales By Brand – November 2010
Top 10 Best-Selling Auto Brands In America – December 2009
U.S. Auto Sales By Brand – 2010 Year End
All 2010 Year End U.S. Auto Sales Stats