U.S. Sales Mixed for Asian Brands

Demand for light vehicles in the U.S. climbed 9% to 1.25 million units in November, and the month's annualized sales pace surged to a seven-year high of 16.4 million units.

Domestic brands hiked their combined market share 1.4 points to 43.6% at the expense of both Asian brands (-0.5 points to 45.4%) and European marques (-0.9 points to 11%), according to Autodata Corp.

November sales rose 14% for General Motors, 7% for Ford and 17% for Chrysler. Their combined volume climbed 8% to 542,500 vehicles.

Demand for Asian carmakers totaled 565,900 vehicles last month, up 41,200 units. The biggest gainers were Toyota (+10% to 178,000 vehicles), Nissan (+11% to 106,500 units), Hyundai (+5% to 56,000), Kia (+11% to 45,400) and Subaru (+30% to 36,600).

Honda's sales were flat at 116,500 units, as a big hike in demand for Acura luxury models offset a 2% decline for the Honda brand. Sales slid 4% to 20,800 vehicles at Mazda.

Among European marques, all luxury brands did well in November. But sales of mainstream models shrank.

A 14% increase for Mercedes-Benz protected its lead over rival BMW. Both brands outsold Volkswagen, traditionally the best-selling European brand in America. Sales rose 13% for Audi, 25% for Land Rover and doubled for Jaguar. Volumes fell for Fiat, Mini and Volvo.