Jeep and Chrysler pace new-car registration growth in 2011

(January 20, 2012) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — New car registrations grew 12 percent last year, according to an analysis by Edmunds.com, and Edmunds' research found that the growth was paced by a Detroit "renaissance," with some of the biggest increases coming from Jeep and Chrysler, whose registrations grew 55 percent and 48 percent, respectively, in 2011.

"Ever since it debuted its 'Imported from Detroit' ad during last year's Super Bowl, Chrysler has seen its popularity surge among car shoppers," says Jessica Caldwell, Senior Analyst at Edmunds.com. "Everyone likes a good comeback story and consumers are helping Chrysler write the next chapter."

Fastest and Slowest Growing National Car Brands, 2010 to 2011

Brand % Change   Brand % Change
Jeep 55%   Lexus -12%
Kia 54%   Toyota -6%
Chrysler 48%   Acura -4%
Mini 30%   Jaguar -4%
Hyundai 30%   Honda -3%

Note: Data availability restricts 2010 and 2011 registrations to Jan-Nov each year

Sandwiched between Jeep and Chrysler was Kia, whose national registrations grew 54 percent in 2011. Hyundai joined its South Korean counterpart among the top five fastest growing brands, climbing 30 percent.

Not all car brands enjoyed growth in the U.S. in 2011. Lexus registrations, for example, declined more than any other automotive brand. The luxury carmaker fell 12 percent in 2011, a rate that doubled the next biggest drop from mainstream counterpart Toyota (-6%). The declines are not surprising given the two brands' well-documented sales struggles last year following the March earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

Among the 10 largest U.S. markets, only three outpaced the national average. Chicago led the top 10 markets with 16 percent growth in 2011, followed by Los Angeles and Dallas-Fort Worth at 14 percent each. The New York market had the slowest growth among the top 10, with a year-over-year increase of just four percent.

 New Car Registration Growth, Top 10 U.S. Markets

Market % Change
CHICAGO 16%
LOS ANGELES 14%
DALLAS FT WORTH 14%
HOUSTON 11%
WASHINGTON DC 10%
PHILADELPHIA 10%
BOSTON 6%
MIAMI FT. LAUDERDALE 6%
DETROIT 5%
NEW YORK 4%
NATIONAL 12%

Note: Data availability restricts 2010 and 2011 registrations to Jan-Nov each year

Edmunds.com's market analysis examined 2010 and 2011 (for the months of Jan — Nov) new car registration data provided by Polk. Only automotive brands with a minimum of 10,000 new registrations in the first 11 months of each year were considered.