© Ford Motor Company
Top Sellers of 2015 . . . So Far
With the first eight months of the year in the books, the auto industry is continuing to see positive momentum. Based on the current pace, U.S. sales are on track to surpass 17 million units this year — the first time since 2001. Overall sales are up 3.8 percent over the first eight months of 2014. There were a few standout brands in August — Jeep continues strong with a 17.6 percent increase compared to August 2014, and other strong performers included Infiniti, Audi, Kia, Ram and Lincoln. General Motors continues to lead all other manufacturers in the U.S. with a 17.6 percent market share, followed by Ford Motor Company, Toyota Motor Sales and Chrysler/FCA group, all of which showed healthy year-over-year gains. Here’s a look at the best-sellers in America after eight months of sales, according to numbers compiled from individual auto manufacturers’ sales reports and goodcarbadcar.net. One note: In 2014 August sales included the Labor Day weekend, so comparing August 2015 to August 2014 may be misleading.
© FCA US
20. Jeep Cherokee
YTD Sales: 140,888
Vs. 2014: 24.1%
Jeep introduced an all-new Cherokee in 2014, and while the design is somewhat unusual, the crossover has been a hit with consumers. Sales have continued to grow — this was the Cherokee’s best August on record, and has helped Jeep to its 23rd consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains. Cherokee is available in a number of trim levels and boasts Jeep’s legendary off-road capability.
© Hyundai Motor America
19. Hyundai Sonata
YTD Sales: 141,556
Vs. 2014: -5.6%
The Hyundai Sonata is all-new for the 2015 model year, and the redesigned sedan has seen healthy sales since its introduction. While sales are slightly off from a year ago, August sales had an increase of 3.4 percent compared to August of 2014. Sonata is available with a number of different powertrains, including a very efficient plug-in hybrid system.
© Ford Motor Company
18. Ford Focus
YTD Sales: 150,427
Vs. 2014: -6.4%
Sales of the Focus dropped more than 26 percent in August compared to a year ago, but the small car is still holding steady as the 18th best-seller in America. With engines ranging from the efficient 1.0-liter EcoBoost to the powerful 252-horsepower EcoBoost found in the ST, the Focus is still a great small-car option. A new 345-horsepower Focus RS arrives in America next spring. This hot Focus may act as a halo, raising sales for the rest of the lineup.
© General Motors
17. Chevrolet Cruze
YTD Sales: 163,938
Vs. 2014: -13.6%
The only passenger car on this list from General Motors, the Cruze is one of the most successful small cars the Detroit-based automaker has ever delivered, with more than three million sold globally since its launch in 2010. Sales were slow in August for this small car, dropping 37 percent compared to August 2014. The Cruze received a slight face-lift for 2015, as well as high-tech features including OnStar with 4G LTE and a standard built-in Wi-Fi hotspot.
© Ford Motor Company
16. Ford Explorer
YTD Sales: 169,456
Vs. 2014: 18.6%
Although Ford has seen only modest overall sales growth so far in 2015, the company fielded five of the top 20 best-sellers, and Explorer is clearly doing its part to grow sales for the company. With an increase of more than 20 percent in August vs. 2014, the 7-passenger crossover is enjoying strong sales as the revised 2016 model starts to show up in dealerships. Note: Explorer sales figures include sales of the Explorer-based Police Interceptor Utility.
© Hyundai Motor America
15. Hyundai Elantra
YTD Sales: 173,238
Vs. 2014: 10.0%
Elantra is Hyundai’s sales leader and has been instrumental in keeping the Korean car company’s sales numbers positive. Although the small car’s August sales were about 2 percent below the same month in 2014, this is somewhat misleading since August 2014 sales were very strong due to the Labor Day weekend being included. The stylish compact sedan or hatchback is a great value, offering an impressive list of standard equipment, good fuel economy and Hyundai’s 10-year/100,000 mile warranty with five years of complimentary roadside assistance.
© Nissan North America, Inc.
14. Nissan Rogue
YTD Sales: 188,143
Vs. 2014: 37.0%
Nissan’s small crossover was redesigned in 2014, so the company has to be happy about a steady sales increase of 37 percent in the second year of the new generation’s sales, as well as an impressive 30 percent increase in August sales year over year. Rogue features a 170-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, and with its advanced Xtronic transmission with Eco mode, it has an EPA fuel economy rating as high as 33 mpg.
© General Motors
13. Chevrolet Equinox
YTD Sales: 192,505
Vs. 2014: 14.9%
August 2015 marked the ninth consecutive month of record crossover sales for General Motors, and the Equinox played a big part with impressive sales growth year over year. One of three Chevrolet models among the top 20 best-sellers, the Equinox is holding its own in the very competitive compact SUV market, and has seen five years of record sales since the second generation launched in 2010. Chevrolet is hoping this trend continues when an updated 2016 model goes on sale later this year.
© Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
12. Toyota RAV4
YTD Sales: 200,818
Vs. 2014: 12.0%
The RAV4 is moving into its third year of the current generation, which makes the 12 percent increase year over year even more impressive. With carlike comfort and handling combined with the utility of an SUV, the stylish RAV4 solidifies its place in the top 20. Look for an all-new RAV4 — including the first RAV4 Hybrid — to arrive in showrooms this fall.
© Ford Motor Company
11. Ford Escape
YTD Sales: 204,539
Vs. 2014: -1.9%
This small 5-passenger crossover from Ford has begun to see a slight decline in sales compared to 2014 — not surprising since it’s been a few years since its last update. That said, Escape still manages to be one of the best-selling SUVs in America. Available with the fuel-efficient EcoBoost powertrain as well as innovative features such as a hands-free tailgate release, the Escape remains Ford’s best-selling SUV.
© Ford Motor Company
10. Ford Fusion
YTD Sales: 206,533
Vs. 2014: -5.6%
Fusion holds the honor of being the best-selling domestic-brand passenger car on this list. August sales are down just 4 percent compared to last August, but the 206,000 units sold is still enough for the Fusion to hold on to a respectable 10th spot on this best-sellers list. With available all-wheel drive and a variety of engine choices — including a very efficient plug-in hybrid — the Fusion makes a great option as a stylish family sedan.
© Honda North America
9. Honda Civic
YTD Sales: 221,471
Vs. 2014: -4.2%
The Civic is one of three Hondas among the 20 best-sellers. Although sales of the compact sedan and coupe have been declining, overall sales are close to those recorded a year ago. The Civic was refreshed in 2014, but that did not provide the boost in sales Honda was anticipating. Perhaps Honda will have more success with the all-new Civic that was shown in concept form at the 2015 New York Auto Show and will go on sale later this year.
© Honda North America
8. Honda CR-V
YTD Sales: 229,574
Vs. 2014: 5.7%
Ten years ago the best-selling SUVs on the market were truck-based offerings from the domestic car companies, but a lot has changed in a decade. Now the crossover is winning the hearts and wallets of America — there are six crossovers on the best-sellers list with the CR-V at the top. The CR-V was all new for 2015, which has helped the Honda of crossovers continue to see increasing sales.
© Honda North America
7. Honda Accord
YTD Sales: 231,173
Vs. 2014: -14.8%
Accord was once at the top of the sales charts, and while sales are 20 percent lower than a year ago, Honda’s bestseller is still the top-selling passenger car based on August sales of more than 40,000 units. Honda sales overall are up slightly compared to last year, but these gains are primarily in trucks and SUVs, which have had a very good year thus far.
© Nissan North America, Inc.
6. Nissan Altima
YTD Sales: 238,200
Vs. 2014: 1.2%
It may be one of only two Nissans in this list of 20 best-selling vehicles in America, but the Altima brings a lot to the party. The stalwart sedan offers a nice mix of comfort, style and — most important to the majority of shoppers — great fuel economy. Nissan sales in general are still up more than 4 percent for the year, making the brand the sixth best for sales in America, just slightly behind Honda.
© Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
5. Toyota Corolla
YTD Sales: 252,106
Vs. 2014: 5.8%
The Corolla certainly is an old-timer — at least in name. Although the car was redesigned last year, the name has been around since 1966, and according to Toyota more than 40 million Corollas have been sold since it was introduced. Now in its eleventh generation, Corolla is the best-selling compact car in America. The redesign has certainly been well accepted — Corolla is holding steady as the fifth-most-popular vehicle in America.
© Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
4. Toyota Camry
YTD Sales: 291,843
Vs. 2014: -4.8%
The Toyota Camry and Honda Accord used to battle for the title of top-selling passenger car in the U.S., but in the last 10 years Camry has been able to solidify its lead. Completely redesigned for the 2015 model year, Camry’s new style and updated features have paid dividends — while sales are down year over year, Toyota seems to be having no trouble holding onto this coveted #1 spot.
© FCA US
3. Ram Truck
YTD Sales: 294,045
Vs. 2014: 3.8%
The Ram 1500 passed the Toyota Camry and moved into third place last year, and with strong August sales the big truck currently holds this podium spot. A new fuel-efficient EcoDiesel that claims 28 mpg and some special-edition trims are boosting sales of the full-size pickup. Ram hopes to keep sales momentum going with the introduction of a more powerful HD pickup in 2016, as well as the new Rebel off-road Ram.
© General Motors
2. Chevrolet Silverado
YTD Sales: 387,179
Vs. 2014: 16.6%
The perennial runner-up to the Ford F-Series, Silverado was completely redesigned for 2014 with new styling and a series of new engines, and as a result has been seeing some impressive sales increases. The updated truck carried over its base price from the previous generation, and each month GM’s offering take a slight bite out of the F-150’s lead. That said, it does not appear that Silverado will catch the top seller this year.
© Ford Motor Company
1. Ford F-Series
YTD Sales: 494,800
Vs. 2014: -0.5%
The Ford F-Series pickup truck has worn the sales crown as best-selling vehicle in America for more than 30 years. While sales are down slightly year over year — largely due to supply issues — August saw the best sales for the F-Series so far this year. According to some quick calculations, if Ford sold F-150s 24 hours a day for the 31 days of August, there would have been more than one F-150 sold every minute. And with the all-new aluminum-intensive F-150 just coming to market, Ford should continue to see success in the U.S.
