National Press Release

Anticipated Spring Boost Fails to Materialize

ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American International Automobile Dealers Association (AIADA) today released April 2009 sales figures for the international automobile industry. AIADA represents over 11,000 international franchises, which so far this year account for 56 percent of all vehicles sold in the United States. Overall sales, including domestics and unadjusted for business days, were down 34.4 percent from April 2008.

"We haven't seen the numbers we hoped for this spring," said AIADA Chairman Russ Darrow. "It is becoming increasingly clear that point of sale stimulation is necessary to jumpstart a recovery. Specifically, we need Congress to pass a scrappage/fleet modernization bill. Any bill must be immediate, simple, and inclusive of all brands retailed in the United States."

According to numbers from Autodata Corp., international brands sold 442,124 vehicles in April, down from 656,034 in April 2008. Asian brands accounted for 45.5 percent of the market, up from 44.7 percent in April 2008, and Europeans had an 8.5 percent share, up from 7.5 percent. Domestic brands finished the month with 46 percent of the market.

Until now, Kia and Subaru had managed to remain in the black for 2009, but weak April sales dragged them down 3.8 and 0.8 percent respectively. Mercedes Benz's Smart is now the only brand sold in the United States to have seen positive growth in 2009. Toyota Motor Corp. was especially hard hit, with sales falling 42.2 percent from last April.

April's weak numbers were particularly discouraging in light of some analyst predictions for a spring recovery. The seasonally adjusted annual sales rate (SAAR) now stands at 9.5 million vehicles. Still, automakers and dealers see some cause for optimism. Sales have remained relatively steady for the past four months, sparking hope that the bottom of the market has been located. In addition, consumer confidence rose in April, from 26.9 to 39.2 percent - its highest level in 2009. For more information on automobile sales data, and to view a full report on April automobile sales, click here: http://www.aiada.org/newsroom/newsDetails.asp?id=57388&cmd=article

About AIADA: Established in 1970, AIADA is and continues to be the only association whose sole purpose is to represent America's 11,000 international nameplate automobile franchises that sell and service the following brands: Acura, Aston Martin, Audi, Bentley, BMW, Ferrari, Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti, Isuzu, Jaguar, Kia, Land Rover, Lexus, Maserati, Maybach, Mazda, Mercedes, MINI, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Porsche, Rolls Royce, Saab, Scion, Smart, Subaru, Suzuki, Toyota, Volkswagen and Volvo. These retailers have a positive economic impact both nationally and in the local communities they serve, providing more than 500,000 American jobs. Visit AIADA online at www.aiada.org.

SOURCE American International Automobile Dealers Association