In North America, if it’s not a crossover, truck or SUV, a vehicle’s sales are probably declining.
New passenger car sales have decreased 12 percent through the first eight months of 2017, compared to the same period last year. The result is 565,000 fewer cars being sold, while the light truck category sees a four-percent increase year-over-year. In terms of total auto sales, cars now account for just 37 percent, down from over 50 percent as recently as 2012.
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There are, however, some cars that continue to see growth in sales, although there aren’t many. Our friends at compiled data from the , seeking out cars with a meaningful volume of at least 1,000 U.S. sales per month. Models that weren’t on sale throughout the first eight months of 2016 were also excluded. The result? A total of 16 cars that have seen a growth in sales over 2016, and here are the top 10.
10. BMW 4 Series
Through eight months of 2016, the BMW 4 Series saw 23,747 units sold. This year, however, the German luxury automaker’s popular model has seen an uptick to 26,629 units sold for 12.1-percent growth.
9. Kia Forte
Kia‘s affordable compact car continues to be popular after moving 81,461 units through eight months of 2017. Last year, over the same time period, Kia sold 71,352 units. That marks a 14.2-percent increase in sales for the Kia Forte.
8. Toyota Yaris iA / Scion iA
The Toyota Yaris iA started its life as the Scion iA, before the Japanese automaker decided to discontinue the brand. Through eight months of 2016, the iA sold 21,949 units. This year, however, Toyota’s branding may have contributed to the model’s boost in sales to 25,472 units, a 16.1-percent increase.
7. Volkswagen Beetle
Although the Volkswagen Beetle saw a 16.1-percent increase in sales, the overall volume is still a bit low for the iconic compact. Last year, Volkswagen sold 9,820 units through the first eight months of the year. Over the same time period in 2017, a total of 11,404 Beetles have left dealership lots.
6. Toyota Corolla iM / Scion iM
Like the Yaris iA, the Toyota Corolla iM started its life as a Scion model. Sales of the model have increased 18.5 percent to 14,313 units through the first eight months of 2017. Last year, 12,079 units were sold through the first eight months.
5. Nissan Leaf
Nissan has introduced its all-new, next-generation Leaf, but the current model is still seeing success. Through the first eight months of 2016, the Nissan sold 7,922 Leaf electric vehicles in America. This year, however, it has sold 9,685 units through the first eight months, marking a 22.3-percent increase.
4. Mazda MX-5 Miata
Mazda‘s popular lightweight sports car may have low volume numbers compared to the brand’s crossovers, but the MX-5 Miata continues to see growth. Last year, the company sold 7,088 units through the first eight months. Over the same time period this year, however, Mazda has seen 8,871 units roll off dealership lots for a 25.2-percent increase.
3. Volkswagen Golf
The Volkswagen Golf family’s sales are boosted by the SportWagen/Alltrack variant, helping increase sales from 36,513 units over the first eight months of 2016 to 49,791 units through the first eight months of this year. That’s an impressive 36.4-percent increase in sales.
2. Subaru Impreza
The Subaru Impreza sees a boost in sales with the introduction of an all-new model. Sales jumped 44.6 percent year-over-year, after moving 40,284 units through the first eight months of 2016. This year, Subaru has sold 58,265 units over the same time period.
1. Audi A5
But the model seeing the biggest growth in sales through the first eight months of 2017 is the Audi A5. This year, the German automaker has sold 11,597 units compared to last year’s figure of 5,926 units. That represents a 95.7-percent increase, and the availability of a new, more practical four-door Sportback model probably has something to do with this.
[Source: The Truth About Cars]
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