GM & Ford see rising sales in California (San Francisco, Fremont: buying, cars)

[18Montclair]

California is the nation's largest and trendiest car market but has been one of the worst for American brands.

They are gaining ground mostly because they have come out with a new generation of small cars and compact SUVs that are competitive with the Hondas and Toyotas that have long dominated the market, said George Peterson, president of AutoPacific Inc., a Tustin automotive industry consulting firm.

"Historically all of the domestics have had a real challenge selling in California," Peterson said...

Chevrolet had 8.3% of retail auto sales in California during the first quarter of this year, according to the California New Car Dealers Assn. That's up from 7.4% in the same period a year earlier and is its highest level since 2007, when sales were powered by large trucks and SUVs rather than the small cars and crossovers the company sells more of now.

Ford's share of the California market grew to 11.6% in the first quarter, compared with 11.3% in the same period a year earlier, the dealers group said. Ford says that's the highest level since 2002...

Ford, Chrysler sales in California: Domestic automakers gain traction in California - latimes.com

[majoun]

Originally Posted by 18Montclair

So why did San Francisco Ford-Lincoln-Mercury close down?

Last domestic car dealership in San Francisco shuts its doors — Autoblog

[user_id]

San Francisco != California.

[Vlajos]

Good for Ford and GM!

[majoun]

Originally Posted by user_id

San Francisco != California.

Japanese manufacturers have dominated the entire state, not just SF, for the last 20 years.

But I'm glad to see Ford and GM making a comeback in the rest of the state.

Ironically, San Franciscans' disdain for Ford and GM and their support for Toyota whose cars are made in non-UAW plants in the Southern US means that San Franciscans are in reality the most anti-union Californians despite SF's long labor history. Given that the working class and lower middle class have pretty much been pushed out of SF, no surprise that bourgie/yuppie politics have taken over SF.

[18Montclair]

Originally Posted by majoun

So why did San Francisco Ford-Lincoln-Mercury close down?

They go to Colma to buy American cars, as they do for most cars.

There is no Acura, Infiniti, Lexus, Mistubishi, Nissan or Subaru dealerships in the city of San Francisco either. In fact, the only Japanese dealerships I found were Honda, Hyundai and Toyota.

Seems European makes rule the City.

Here are the only new car dealerships in SF:
Bentley of San Francisco
BMW of San Francisco
Jaguar of San Francisco
Lamborghini of San Francisco
Land Rover of San Francisco
Maybach of San Francisco
Mercedes Benz of San Francisco
Mini of San Francisco
Rolls Royce of San Francisco
Royal Audi/Volkswagen/Volvo
San Francisco Honda
San Francisco Hyundai
San Francisco Toyota/Scion
Smart Center San Francisco

^And many of these fall under the roof of one dealer, British Motors.

There are quite a few scooter and motorcycle dealerships and many small name electric and hybrid car dealers too.

[Hemlock140]

That's a really small increase, not what I would call a comeback. Most likely a combination of the recent japanese car recalls and the economy,
with people trying to save money buying less expensive cars.

[jeffredo]

San Franciscans buy cars at the various "Serramonte" dealerships a few miles south on the Peninsula. Have for years. Just because the domestic auto dealers have closed in The City doesn't mean San Franciscans don't buy domestic cars. There have been a number of import dealers that have relocated to Daly City/Colma as well. There's more room and the rents are cheaper.

[rah]

Originally Posted by majoun

Japanese manufacturers have dominated the entire state, not just SF, for the last 20 years.

But I'm glad to see Ford and GM making a comeback in the rest of the state.

Ironically, San Franciscans' disdain for Ford and GM and their support for Toyota whose cars are made in non-UAW plants in the Southern US means that San Franciscans are in reality the most anti-union Californians despite SF's long labor history. Given that the working class and lower middle class have pretty much been pushed out of SF, no surprise that bourgie/yuppie politics have taken over SF.

Lots of San Franciscans buy american cars. Most San Franciscans don't even buy their cars in SF though, so this little theory and lame political derail of yours holds no weight. Also, the lower middle and working class are far from being gone in SF.

[Gentoo]

Originally Posted by majoun

Japanese manufacturers have dominated the entire state, not just SF, for the last 20 years.

But I'm glad to see Ford and GM making a comeback in the rest of the state.

Ironically, San Franciscans' disdain for Ford and GM and their support for Toyota whose cars are made in non-UAW plants in the Southern US means that San Franciscans are in reality the most anti-union Californians despite SF's long labor history. Given that the working class and lower middle class have pretty much been pushed out of SF, no surprise that bourgie/yuppie politics have taken over SF.

My uncle built Toyotas at the GM plant in Fremont