FI showroom red and grey logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Edmunds.com Forecasts Not-So Thrilling October Sales Month

This month's new-car sales (including fleet sales) are expected to be approximately 920,200 units, a 10.8 percent increase from October 2009 but a 3.4 percent decrease from September 2010, according to Edmunds.com.

by Staff
October 29, 2010
3 min to read


SANTA MONICA, Calif. — This month's new-car sales (including fleet sales) are expected to be approximately 920,200 units, a 10.8 percent increase from October 2009 but a 3.4 percent decrease from September 2010, according to Edmunds.com.

Retail sales are expected to be approximately 754,000 units, down from approximately 765,000 last month.

Ad Loading...

Edmunds.com analysts predict that October's seasonally adjusted annualized rate (SAAR) for retail and fleet auto sales will be nearly 11.9 million, up from 11.7 in September 2010. SAAR for retail sales will be about 9.7 million, up from 9.4 million last month.

“This month’s SAAR is the highest since September 2008, not counting the Cash for Clunkers aberration,” Senior Analyst Ray Zhou told AutoObserver.com.

In September 2008, SAAR was 12.6 million. "In early October, dealership traffic was strong, but toward the end of the month consumers pulled back, perhaps waiting for Thanksgiving weekend deals," Zhou said.

Average automaker incentives in the U.S. are estimated to be $2,498 per vehicle sold in October 2010, down $61, or 2.4 percent, from September 2010, and down $172, or 6.4 percent, from October 2009.

“Consumers are being drawn to new models that have minimal incentives,” stated Edmunds.com Senior Analyst Jessica Caldwell. “It seems consumer confidence is returning a bit and some pent-up demand is being realized.”

Ad Loading...

October 2010 will have 27 selling days, one fewer than last October 2009. The chart below sets forth predicted month-over-month and year-over-year comparisons:


Change from October 2009
(Adjusted for fewer selling days)

Change from October 2009
(Unadjusted for fewer selling days)

Change from Sept 2010
(Unadjusted for more selling days)

Chrysler

45.3%

40.1%

-8.6%

Ford

22.1%

17.7%

-1.1%

GM

-0.4%

-3.9%

-2.1%

Honda

19.2%

15.0%

0.9%

Nissan

15.1%

11.0%

-10.3%

Toyota

-5.0%

-8.4%

-5.3%

Industry Total

14.9%

10.8%

-3.4%

The combined monthly U.S. market share for Chrysler, Ford and General Motors (GM) domestic nameplates is estimated to be 45.1 percent in October 2010, up from 44.9 percent in October 2009 and up slightly from 45.0 percent in September 2010.

Edmunds.com predicts Chrysler will sell 91,100 units in October 2010, up 40.1 percent compared to October 2009 but down 8.6 percent from September 2010. This would result in a new car market share of 9.9 percent for Chrysler in October 2010, up from 7.8 percent in October 2009 but down from 10.5 percent as in September 2010.

Edmunds.com predicts Ford will sell 154,500 units in October 2010, up 17.7 percent compared to October 2009 but down 1.1 percent from September 2010. This would result in a new car market share of 16.8 percent of new car sales in October 2010 for Ford, up from 15.8 percent in October 2009 and up from 16.4 percent in September 2010.

Edmunds.com predicts GM will sell 169,400 units in October 2010, down 3.9 percent compared to October 2009 and down 2.1 percent from September 2010. GM's market share is expected to be 18.4 percent of new vehicle sales in October 2010, down from 21.2 percent in October 2009 but up from 18.2 percent in September 2010.

Ad Loading...

Edmunds.com predicts Honda will sell 98,300 units in October 2010, up 15.0 percent from October 2009 and up 0.9 percent from September 2010. Honda’s market share is expected to be 10.7 percent in October 2010, up from 10.3 percent in October 2009 and up from 10.2 percent in September 2010.

Edmunds.com predicts Nissan will sell 66,600 units in October 2010, up 11.0 percent from October 2009 but down 10.3 percent from September 2010. Nissan's market share is expected to be 7.2 percent in October 2010, flat from 7.2 percent in October 2009 but down from 7.8 percent in September 2010.

Edmunds.com predicts Toyota will sell 139,400 units in October 2010, down 8.4 percent from October 2009 and down 5.3 percent from September 2010. Toyota's market share is expected to be 15.1 percent in October 2010, down from 18.3 percent in October 2009 and down from 15.4 percent in September 2010.

More F&I

Photo of a three-seat vehicle back seat
F&Iby Hannah MitchellMay 22, 2026

F&I Reaches for the Sky

The increasingly important profit center continued making gains in the first quarter, according to StoneEagle data, ancillary products proving more popular as consumers hold onto their buys longer.

Read More →
Cover image for a BOK Financial report titled “Timing the market: How avoiding volatility entirely can hurt long-term reinsurance program performance.” The image shows several road construction barricades with flashing amber warning lights lined up in a nighttime work zone. Beneath the image, red text explains that avoiding volatility can mean falling behind inflation and missing market rebounds that drive long-term surplus growth. The BOK Financial logo appears at the bottom right.
SponsoredMay 8, 2026

Timing the Market Can Hurt Long-Term Program Performance

For dealer-owned reinsurance entities, avoiding volatility entirely can mean falling behind inflation and missing market rebounds that drive long term surplus growth. Missing just a handful of strong market days can materially impact cumulative returns—an important reminder for long horizon trust and investment strategies.

Read More →
Ryan Ruff, The 90/10 Rule, Automotive Training Academy, Sales Series
F&IMay 6, 2026

The 90/10 Rule

In this video, Ryan Ruff explains the rule that elite sales professionals use to turn ordinary conversations into unforgettable customer experiences.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Photo of essential oil diffuser on desk next to laptop
F&IMay 4, 2026

Your Office Is Talking

What’s the atmosphere saying about you to your customers? You can make minor adjustments and additions that transform your space into one that creates trust with the people on the other side of the desk.

Read More →
"Effective training ensures the customer’s needs remain at the heart of everything we do. When that is the focus, both sales and profits naturally improve." by Rick McCormick with F&I and Showroom logo and picture of Rick McCormick
F&IMay 1, 2026

F&I Training Fundamentals

How can auto dealerships help F&I managers fulfill their vital role in the most effective ways? Industry expert Rick McCormick shares his insights on the best ways to train these professionals and help them maintain good habits.

Read More →
Photo of car tire and the tread mark it left in snow
F&Iby Hannah MitchellApril 29, 2026

Not Just Any Tire Will Do

More consumers and businesses are opting for all-season options for various reasons as safety, sustainability and convenience push practical change.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Photo of robot holding a laptop
F&Iby Hannah MitchellApril 27, 2026

How AI Will Drive the Next Wave of Innovation in Finance & Insurance

It’s time to take the next digital step to free F&I managers to handle the most challenging aspects of customer meetings.

Read More →
Photo of notepad and pen next to computer keyboard on desktop
F&IApril 13, 2026

Control in Sales Is an Illusion

Some of it should be given to the customer, but that doesn’t mean the F&I office relinquishes the process. In fact, a different approach both builds trust and boosts sales.

Read More →
Photo of external keyboard on office deak next to window
F&IApril 7, 2026

The Limited Warranty Game

Bringing it in-house benefits the dealership and its customers.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Woman in casual clothing sitting at a desk
F&Iby Rick McCormickMarch 31, 2026

Curb The Confusion

Talk to F&I customers like you’d talk to a friend, without industry lingo or sales-like questions, and use hard proof to show, not tell, them about a need.

Read More →