The Canadian vehicle sales market had its strongest first half in recent history, with overall sales up 2% compared to the previous year. Pickup truck sales performed dramatically better than the overall market, with the Ford F-Series, Ram, GMC Sierra, and Chevrolet Silverado all showing double-digit year-to-date sales increases. The Detroit Three automakers benefited from strong pickup sales and remained slightly ahead of other manufacturers at the half-year mark. Several automakers lagged behind the overall market growth, including Kia, Mazda, Mercedes, Nissan, and Volvo.

1. Canadian Sales
First Half 2013
by
Strada IQ
July 2013

2. Robust
First Half
The strongest first half in
recent history 2 % ahead of
the previous year.
Truly a robust sales
performance after a slow and
perhaps scary start to the
year for some.
Fascinating when
manufacturers and dealers
throttle up to sell vehicles
and move iron.

3. Awesome
Second Quarter
Strong second quarter ahead
of the previous year.
Lets take a look:
April: + 8 %
May: +5 %
June: + 1 %
Did you expect anything else
after a soft first quarter that
raised a few alarm bells.

4. Trucks
The big story is trucks,
especially pick ups.
Pick ups are a Detroit 3
specialty.
Canadians have an ongoing
and enduring love affair with
pick ups.
F Series YTD + 17.4%
Ram YTD + 18.6%
Sierra YTD + 6.3%
Silverado YTD + 7%
Keep in mind that sales are
up 2%...pick ups have
performed dramatically
better.

5. Ahead
Who was ahead at the
conclusion of the first half?
The Detroit 3 with strong pick
up performance remained
slightly ahead.
Chrysler: + 7%
Ford: + 4%
GM: + 4%
Acura: + 28%
Audi: + 3%
Honda: + 4%
Infiniti: + 8%
Jaguar: + 71%
Land Rover: + 11%
Porsche: + 24%
VW: + 8%

6. Behind
Who was behind the 8 ball
at the first half.
Lets take a look:
Kia: - 8%
Mazda: - 4%
Mercedes: - 2%
Nissan: -7 %
Toyota: -1%
Volvo: - 26%
Kia and Mercedes are
surprises, Mazda and Nissan
not so much.
Toyota is improving.

7. COMPACT
 Hyundai Elantra…28,863
 Honda Civic……..28,553
 Toyota Corolla…...21,969
 Mazda 3……...….19,347
Civic will keep the title, with the Elantra keeping
them highly motivated. Yes...the new
Corolla has an effect for Toyota.
All Figures from Automotive News
MID SIZE SEDANS
 Jetta……………….15,237
 Ford Fusion… …..11,304
 Toyota Camry……..9,203
 Honda Accord.........9,022
 Hyundai Sonata..…8,262
 Chrysler 200…..…..7,202
 Nissan Altima…..….5,313
 Chevy Malibu…..…4,313
The Jetta remains ahead, reinforcing that price
is a huge factor. Then its trading paint with
the Sonata getting muscled by the Camry.

8. CUV/SUV
 Ford Escape……….21,481
 Toyota RAV4……….16,660
 Honda CR-V……….16,577
 Chrysler Journey…..14,100
 Hyundai Santa Fe…13,711
 Chevy Equinox….....10,069
The Escape remains in front, with the RAV4 and
CR-V trading paint.
Again the Equinox brings up the rear.
PICK UPS
 Ford F Series….…… 61,677
 Ram…………….………41,907
 GMC Sierra……….. …23,507
 Chevy Silverado………19,270
Huge performance! Truly a wow moment.
Interesting when the new GM pick ups get
launched.
The love affair with pick ups is strengthening so
far this year.

9. ENTRY LUXURY
 BMW 3 Series………5,981
 M-B C Class……..…4,610
 Audi A4………......…3,050
 Cadillac ATS…………1,427
 Infiniti G……….......…1,224
 Acura TL…………..…1,000
 Buick LaCrosse………..688
 Lexus IS…….……….…683
 Cadillac CTS……….….436
Look at the ATS being disruptive, and displacing
the G…impressive.
We agree the CTS lost sales to the ATS.
The 3 Series is way ahead.
LUXURY CUV/SUV
 Lexus RX…………………3,703
 BMW X3…………….……3,604
 Audi Q5……………………3,561
 M-B GLK………….….……3,224
 Acura RDX……………..….3,041
 Acura MDX…….….…....…2,926
 M-B M Class…………...….2,085
 BMW X1……………...……1,859
 Infiniti JX35…………......…1,631
 Buick Enclave………...…..1,611
 Lincoln MKX………..……..1,602
 Cadillac SRX…… ....…..…1,561
 BMW X5…………………..1,474
Constant shuffling depending on who has an
incentive program.

10. PONY CARS
 Mustang…………….3,209
 Camaro……………..1,575
 Challenger………….1,028
George Follmer (Mustang) leads by a wide
margin, and Mark Donahue in the Camaro,
passed Sam Posey for second,
DID YOU KNOW?
 SLS AMG……..…....….31
 Lamborghini…..………..22
 Maserati………..……….80
 Ferrari………….….…..106
 Panamera…..…….…..158
 GT-R…………..……..…73
 R8…………….……..….59
 Bentley………..….…….62
 Volt…………..………..471
 Leaf…………..……….248

11. We coined the term “MerBimAu” for the Mercedes-Benz/BMW/Audi juggernaut.
The first half is an excellent opportunity to see how the “juggernaut” is fairing in the
Canadian market that is up by 2% compared to 2012.
Mercedes-Benz: - 4.5%
Deducting sales of Sprinter vans, and smart, a little surprising to see M-B down
4.5%, especially that C Class sales seems to have shifted to the new B Class.
2013=15,221 vs 2012=15,944
BMW: +- 0%
Deducting sales of Mini, BMW is slightly behind the market, although still emphasizing
the 3 Series, both in car and CUV version. Yes…they are ahead of M-B.
2013=15,345 vs 2012=15,339
Audi: +3%
They are ahead, primarily on the strength of the A and Q5, and seem to still have a few
fresh levers they can pull.
2013=10,358 vs 2012=10,054

12.  We expected a strong 2nd quarter to generate a strong first half, its precisely what
developed.
 We remain surprised by the subdued performance from GM, now solidly in 3rd place.
 The Korean juggernaut is encountering stronger headwinds from the Japanese.
 Honda and Toyota raised their game during the 2nd quarter, to conclude the 1st half
ahead of 2012.
 CPO sales although increasing, are impacted by aggressive programs on new
vehicles.
 The finance terms are inexorably getting longer.
 The deals are closed on a monthly payment basis.
 Pick ups…what can you say…HUGE.
 MerBimAu is heading into some “nouveau riche” market turbulence.
 New products, design that captivates are a compelling advantage.
 The market remains hyper competitive which is excellent for the customer.
Thank You