Though November's new-vehicle sales are projected to hit double-digit declines compared to last year's figures, the market seems to be improving from its dismal state in October, which Edmunds.com attributed to heavy incentives, the end of election season and low fuel costs.
Specifically, Edmunds.com projects that new-vehicle sales will reach 850,000 units for the month, a 27.6-percent downturn from a year ago but a 1.9-percent improvement from October.
The seasonally adjusted annual rate for the month is projected at 11.5 million units.
"Sales improved slightly over October thanks to near-record high incentives and perhaps a sense of relief that the presidential election is over," observed Jesse Toprak, executive director of industry analysis for Edmunds.com. "Also, remarkably low gas prices motivated shoppers to seriously consider the tremendous deals available on SUVs and trucks."
Breaking it down, market share for domestic brands is expected to be 47.1 percent in November, up 0.1 percentage points from October but down from 51.1 percent in the same period of 2007.
"Now the domestic automakers are scrambling to develop a viability proposal in order to earn a government loan," commented Michelle Krebs, senior editor of Edmunds' AutoObserver.com. "It is more important than ever for them to demonstrate that their products are appealing to the American public."
Analysts expect Chrysler to be hit the hardest compared to last year, as its November sales are projected at 94,000 units, a 41.7-percent decline from 2007 and a 0.3-percent drop from last month.
Its resulting market share would be 11 percent, compared to 13.7 percent in November 2007 and 11.3 percent a month ago.
Ford, meanwhile, is projected to move 119,000 units by month's end, a 33.1-percent softening from a year ago and a 7.8-percent dip from October. The brand's market share would then be 14 percent, off 1.1 from November 2007 and down 1.5 percent from last month.
And while Edmunds anticipates General Motors will show a 11.2 percent improvement from October at 188,000 units sold, its sales are forecasted to be 28.2 percent softer than the same period of 2007.
GM's expected market share is 22.1 percent, compared to 22.3 percent last year and 20.3 percent last month.
Among major imports, Nissan is projected to take a 29.3-percent hit from 2007 at 57,000 units sold. However, it is anticipated that Nissan will improve 0.2 percent from October.
Its resulting market share would be 6.7 percent, versus 6.9 percent a year ago and 6.8 percent last month.
Moving on, Edmunds forecasts that Honda will sell 88,000 models, a 20.6-percent decline from last year but a 3-percent upswing from October. Honda's market share is projected at 10.4 percent, an improvement of 0.9 points from November 2007 and 0.2 points compared to last month.
Finally, analysts anticipate that Toyota will move 150,000 units, down 24.2 percent from last year and 1.7 percent from October. The brand's market share would be 17.6 percent, compared to 16.8 percent this time last year and 18.2 percent a month ago.