Ally Financial Survey Finds Dealers Bullish on 2012 Vehicle Sales

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Feb 06, 2012, 12:40 ET

DETROIT, Feb. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly half of dealers surveyed by Ally Financial at the 2012 National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Convention expect their sales to increase by 10-20 percent this year, and almost another third are even more bullish in expecting sales to grow greater than 20 percent.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120206/DE47947 )

Nearly 75 percent of dealers surveyed expect consumer confidence to be the key in sustaining sales momentum, surpassing the availability of incentives or vehicle inventory as driving factors. About 60 percent said the credit profiles of customers coming into their showrooms are improving.

Further, more than half (53 percent) of the dealers surveyed expect the small-car vehicle segment to experience the most growth in 2012.

"Given improved consumer confidence, full year sales for 2012 could surpass the 14 million unit level in the U.S. and position the industry for even greater growth in 2013," said Tim Russi, Ally executive vice president, North American Auto Operations. "This could factor into dealer decisions on facilities, hiring and ordering."

About the Survey

Ally Financial surveyed dealers on Feb. 4, 2012 at the NADA convention. The margin of error for the survey was +/- 6 percent.

About Ally Financial

Ally Financial Inc. (formerly GMAC Inc.) is one of the world's largest automotive financial services companies. The company offers a full suite of automotive financing products and services in key markets around the world. Ally's other business units include mortgage operations and commercial finance, and the company's subsidiary, Ally Bank, offers retail banking products. With approximately $184 billion in assets as of Dec. 31, 2011, Ally operates as a bank holding company. For more information, visit the Ally media site at http://media.ally.com.

Contact:

Steve Kinkade
Ally Financial
313-969-5358

Sue Mallino
313-656-6970
[email protected]

1) What do you expect to be the key factor in sustaining sales momentum in the industry in 2012?

a. Consumer confidence - 74.83%
b. Incentives – 16.33%
c. Vehicle inventory 8.84%

2) What vehicle segment will experience the most growth in 2012?

a.    Small Cars – 52.38%
b.    Mid-size/Large Cars – 24.49%
c.    Trucks/Crossovers/SUVs – 23.13%

3) What is your overall outlook on new vehicles sales in 2012?

a.    Positive – 92.52%
b.    Negative – 1.36%
c.    Flat – 6.12%

4) Are you planning for increased sales in 2012 versus last year? If yes, by how much?

a.   I do not expect an increase - .68%
b.   0 – 10% - 21.77%
c.   10% - 20% - 46.94%
d.   20% – 30% - 22.45%
e.   30% – 40% - 6.12%
f.    More than 40% - 2.04%

5) Are credit profiles of customers coming into your dealership: