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Honda Passes Chrysler for the 4th Spot in U.S. Sales

}This uncertain and strange year of global crisis has paid its toll on most of the world’s economies and in various ways. While back in the past Americans feared that Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A could threaten the dominant position of the “Big Three”, 2009 may bring another shock in the U.S. car market.

With the start of the year, the Big Three (General Motors, Ford and Chrysler) were caught in a sudden whirlpool. Apart from Ford Motor Co. which managed to heavily reorganize just in time, both GM and Chrysler needed the government’s help to get back on track.

Now, another Japanese car manufacturer moves higher up the ladder. American Honda is the company to enter the equation and swap places with Chrysler Group for the 4th spot in the U.S. car market.

Through November, American Honda posted a year-to-date sales of 1.044 million units, holding a 200,000-unit lead over Chrysler. Same time last year the situation was the other way around, with Chrysler leading auto sales from Honda by 21,000 units and managing to hold on to that slender lead and close the year with a 25,000-unit margin.

We are taking the steps that are necessary to have a good foundation and to build consumer confidence,” said Kathy Graham, Chrysler spokeswoman, characterizing this as only a temporary set back for the American car maker.

We are on the right path. There will be short-term pain to get to our long-term goals,” she concluded.

On the other side, John Mendel, American Honda executive vice president retained a calm approach, disclosing there are no celebrations planned to mark passing Chrysler, as the unstable economic climate still distorts a clear forecast.

We only look at our sales and our objective. We may look at Civic and Corolla or Accord and Camry, but not at who ranks where. We are all in the same hospital, and some of us are more critical than others. Everyone is hurting. We cut Formula One. We cut 200,000 units of production. It was the right thing to do, but it was painful,” said John Mendel via Autonews.com.

Either you pay in production cuts, increased fleet sales or increased incentives, but everyone is paying right now,” explained Mendel.
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