January-February 2009 -vehicle deliveries down 40%, luxury cars up 30%

The Israel Motor Vehicles Importers Association announced last week that on the basis of licensing figures only 23,646 new vehicles were delivered in January-February 2009, 40% fewer than in the corresponding months of 2008.
 
Deliveries of new cars were also down 40% to 19,342 in January-February, with 12,327 cars were delivered in February, 35% fewer than in February last year. Mazda recorded 4,007 deliveries in January-February, 47% fewer than in the corresponding months of last year.
 
Hyundai was in second place, with 3,229 deliveries, down 12.3%. Ford was in third place, with 2,232 deliveries, down 2%. Chevrolet was in fourth place, with 1,585 deliveries, down 48%. Toyota was in fifth place, with 1,577 deliveries, down 63%. Nissan was in sixth place. According to Israel Motor Vehicles Importers Association the slump in new vehicle deliveries was due to the halt in orders by leasing companies.
 
An analysis of new car sales in January-February 2009 shows that despite the 40% drop in total sales, compared with the corresponding months of 2008, sales of luxury cars rose strongly. 782 luxury cars and jeeps were sold during the two months period, 30% more than in the corresponding months of last year.