Work Truck Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Import Automakers Report Record Sales in August

by Staff
September 5, 2001
2 min to read


While the Big Three suffered sales declines in August, some of the import automakers enjoyed record sales. Honda's luxury division, Acura, announced August sales of 15,743, the second highest monthly total in division history, finishing 239 units short of the record set in March of this year. The August results also mark the 10th straight month of record-breaking sales for Acura, surpassing the previous August record of 14,871 set in 1989. Acura's year-to-date sales rose to 114,190, up 24 percent over the same period last year. Kia announced its best sales month ever with 23,276 vehicles sold in August, marking a 41-percent increase over August 2000. With year-to-date sales of 144,314, the Korean carmaker is 40 percent ahead of last year's record sales pace. Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) reported August sales of 18,248 vehicles, making this the best August on record for the company. On a year-to-date basis, August sales pushed the company's volume to 134,619, up 0.6 percent over last year's record-setting pace (133,800). Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America, Inc. (MMSA) reported August sales of 28,317 units, driving the automaker to its best-ever August with an increase of 2.8 percent over August 2000. The Saab 9-5 had its strongest month ever in the United States since its debut in early 1998 with a sales volume of 2,807 units in August. This represents a 32 percent increase for the Saab 9-5 over July 2001 (2,120) and August 2000 (2,124). Total sales for the month were 4,222 units, up 12.5 percent over August 2000 (3,753 units). Volvo Cars of North America, LLC reported its best August on record in 2001. A continued strong showing by the S60 and the V70 Cross Country drove sales of 13,145 units, capping a summer season of five consecutive months of increased sales compared to the previous year. August 2001 sales represent a 18.6 percent boost to sales in the same month last year.

More Small Fleet

Cover of a whitepaper titled “The Hidden Costs of Departmentally Assigned Vehicles on Your Fleet” featuring a black fleet vehicle driving on a road at sunset. Subheadline reads: “Discover how your fleet can reduce costs and minimize risk by implementing vehicle sharing.” The document focuses on fleet optimization, vehicle sharing, cost reduction, utilization tracking, and risk management for fleet operations.
SponsoredMay 13, 2026

Why Fleet Managers Are Replacing Departmental Vehicles with Shared Motor Pools

Departmentally assigned vehicles often create hidden costs through underutilization, poor visibility, and increased administrative burden. This white paper explores how shared motor pool strategies help fleets reduce costs, improve accountability, and optimize vehicle utilization.

Read More →
SponsoredMarch 9, 2026

Boosting Last-Mile Fleet Uptime, Safety, and Value with AI Vehicle Inspections

AI-powered inspections are transforming last-mile fleets by replacing manual checks with highly accurate automated scans that detect defects in seconds. By giving fleet operations visibility into the daily condition of their vehicles, you can identify trends over the vehicle’s lifecycle that enable improved procurement decisions, route management, driver training and accountability.

Read More →
SponsoredMarch 1, 2026

Report: How AI Is Reshaping Fleet and Field Service Operations

AI is moving beyond the back office and into the driver’s seat of work truck and field service operations. New research shows fleets are using AI to improve predictive maintenance, optimize dispatch and routing, reduce downtime, and boost technician productivity, while also tackling challenges around workforce adoption and data readiness. Discover the trends, technologies, and real-world use cases shaping the future of connected work truck fleets.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
SafetyFebruary 4, 2026

Five Ways Seat Belts Help Prevent Injuries

There are five ways seat belts protect occupants from injuries, according to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security.

Read More →
SponsoredJanuary 14, 2026

It’s here: The 2026 Fleet Technology Trends Report

What does AI mean for fleets? Get the answer — and learn other top tech trends.

Read More →
Wreaths Across America graphic highlighting the role of small fleets in delivering wreaths to honor veterans, featuring wreath icons and the American flag.
Small Fleetby Lauren FletcherDecember 8, 2025

Small Fleets, Big Impact: How Independent Drivers Power Wreaths Across America

Check out how small fleets and independent drivers power Wreaths Across America each December and why their impact matters more than ever.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A stressed person covers their face, illustrating that 65% of small fleet managers handle all operations alone, according to a Vehicle Management Systems (VMS) survey.
Small Fleetby StaffNovember 12, 2025

VMS Survey Finds 65% of Small Fleet Managers Run Operations Alone

A new VMS survey shows small fleet managers are stretched thin, with most handling operations solo and eager to adopt digital tools for relief.

Read More →
Safe Driving on Halloween over spooky fall road
Safetyby StaffOctober 20, 2025

Tips for Driving Safely on Halloween Night

This video features a reminder from the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association, urging drivers to prioritize safety this Halloween.

Read More →
VMS Co-CEO David Prusinski highlights the company’s AI-powered virtual fleet manager designed to improve uptime and reduce operating costs for fleets.
Green Fleetby Lauren FletcherOctober 6, 2025

AI, Access, and Uptime: VMS’s Next Chapter with David Prusinski

VMS’s new Co-CEO, David Prusinski, shares how an AI-first approach will give small fleets and repair shops the tools to compete like big players.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Photo of tire tracks and winter scenes.
Small FleetMay 24, 2025

Fleet Managers Share Winter Prep Tips: It's Never Too Early!

Three fleets share best practices to prep vehicles for winter and prevent downtime when the cold sets in.

Read More →