U.S. new vehicle sales rose modestly in May, increasing 0.8% year over year (YOY) to approximately 1.48 million units. Higher incentives & strong demand for hybrids helped drive this growth.
The surge in hybrid sales is not surprising given rising fuel costs, as many consumers are shifting from traditional gas-powered vehicles to hybrids to reduce operating expenses. This trend is evident across several popular models. The Kia Sportage Hybrid, Sorento Hybrid & Carnival Hybrid posted impressive sales gains of 171%, 101% & 32%, respectively.
Mazda also delivered a strong performance, helped in part by the Mazda MX-5 Miata, whose sales jumped 196.6% YOY. Overall, Mazda sales increased 35%, followed by Honda at 10.5% & Subaru at 10.4%.
Looking ahead, if fuel prices remain elevated, it will be interesting to see whether hybrid & EV sales continue to accelerate, as well as further take market share from traditional gas-powered vehicles.
Sources:
Alaniz A. (2026, June 4). Winners And Losers From May Auto Sales. Motorsport Network. https://www.motor1.com/news/797747/may-auto-sales-results-winners-losers (Accessed: 6 June 2026).
Reynolds, J. (2026, June 3). May 2026 U.S. Auto Sales Results & Market Analysis. CarPro. https://www.carpro.com/blog/may-2026-u.s.-auto-sales-results-market-analysis (Accessed: 6 June 2026).
The surge in hybrid sales is not surprising given rising fuel costs, as many consumers are shifting from traditional gas-powered vehicles to hybrids to reduce operating expenses. This trend is evident across several popular models. The Kia Sportage Hybrid, Sorento Hybrid & Carnival Hybrid posted impressive sales gains of 171%, 101% & 32%, respectively.
Mazda also delivered a strong performance, helped in part by the Mazda MX-5 Miata, whose sales jumped 196.6% YOY. Overall, Mazda sales increased 35%, followed by Honda at 10.5% & Subaru at 10.4%.
Looking ahead, if fuel prices remain elevated, it will be interesting to see whether hybrid & EV sales continue to accelerate, as well as further take market share from traditional gas-powered vehicles.
Sources:
Alaniz A. (2026, June 4). Winners And Losers From May Auto Sales. Motorsport Network. https://www.motor1.com/news/797747/may-auto-sales-results-winners-losers (Accessed: 6 June 2026).
Reynolds, J. (2026, June 3). May 2026 U.S. Auto Sales Results & Market Analysis. CarPro. https://www.carpro.com/blog/may-2026-u.s.-auto-sales-results-market-analysis (Accessed: 6 June 2026).
U.S. new car sales decreased by 6.7% year over year (YOY), which we estimate at approximately 1,036,297 units in April. A prolonged Middle East conflict, including the closure of the Strait of Hormuz & the U.S. blockade of Iranian ships, has placed significant strain on the global economy. Rising fuel costs, combined with high interest rates, have reduced demand for new cars, as anticipated in previous editions of this blog.
In response to these conditions, the automotive industry is focusing on retaining market share & strengthening customer relationships. In this edition, we focus on customer loyalty, a critical factor for long term competitiveness. Industry estimates suggest that retaining an existing customer is five to twenty-five times cheaper than acquiring a new one.
According to S&P Global Mobility, the industry’s average loyalty rate stands at 51.1%. Mainstream brands, at 51.8%, outperform luxury brands at 48%, indicating that premium segment customers are more likely to switch brands. Among mainstream brands, Ford leads at 58.8%, followed by Chevrolet at 57.8% & Toyota at 57.7%. In the luxury segment, Tesla leads at 59.5%, followed by Mercedes Benz at 53.9% & BMW at 52.2%.
These figures highlight an important takeaway. One effective way to improve customer retention is to present compelling offers about one month before a lease expires, supported by manufacturer backed financing. Even in uncertain economic conditions, targeted strategies like these can help mitigate declining demand & strengthen customer loyalty.
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2026, May 2). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2026. Retrieved May 4, 2026, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
Chiu, K. (2026, February 27). Driving success with customer loyalty in the automotive industry. S&P Global. https://www.spglobal.com/automotive-insights/en/blogs/strategies-to-grow-customer-loyalty-automotive-industry (Accessed: 4 May 2026).
In response to these conditions, the automotive industry is focusing on retaining market share & strengthening customer relationships. In this edition, we focus on customer loyalty, a critical factor for long term competitiveness. Industry estimates suggest that retaining an existing customer is five to twenty-five times cheaper than acquiring a new one.
According to S&P Global Mobility, the industry’s average loyalty rate stands at 51.1%. Mainstream brands, at 51.8%, outperform luxury brands at 48%, indicating that premium segment customers are more likely to switch brands. Among mainstream brands, Ford leads at 58.8%, followed by Chevrolet at 57.8% & Toyota at 57.7%. In the luxury segment, Tesla leads at 59.5%, followed by Mercedes Benz at 53.9% & BMW at 52.2%.
These figures highlight an important takeaway. One effective way to improve customer retention is to present compelling offers about one month before a lease expires, supported by manufacturer backed financing. Even in uncertain economic conditions, targeted strategies like these can help mitigate declining demand & strengthen customer loyalty.
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2026, May 2). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2026. Retrieved May 4, 2026, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
Chiu, K. (2026, February 27). Driving success with customer loyalty in the automotive industry. S&P Global. https://www.spglobal.com/automotive-insights/en/blogs/strategies-to-grow-customer-loyalty-automotive-industry (Accessed: 4 May 2026).
U.S. new car sales declined 12.3% year-over-year (YOY) to 1,397,835 units in March. Higher vehicle prices, driven by geopolitical instability, particularly the war in Iran & the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, have caused significant ripple effects on oil & gasoline prices. Since new cars & fuel are complementary goods, higher fuel costs reduce new car demand. With peace talks stalled due to wide gaps between the U.S. & Iranian positions, this trend is likely to continue.
Prolonged Middle East conflict also drives up prices for other goods, including fertilizers & has contributed to the Federal Reserve keeping the Federal Funds Rate in the 3.5% to 3.75% range. Higher interest rates further increase the cost of new car ownership, cooling demand.
On the positive side, Stellantis grew 4.4% YOY & rising gasoline prices have boosted demand for hybrids & electric vehicles, exemplified by Hyundai’s IONIQ 5, which surged 13%. The shift in energy demand is also fueling Chinese solar cell exports, which rose 99.2% in March compared to February. Overall, the automotive market faces turbulent months ahead, but these forces are accelerating a shift toward electric vehicles.
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2026, April 2). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2026. Retrieved May 4, 2026, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
Patel, A. (2026, April 30). China briefing 30 April 2026: Fossil fuel ‘strict controls’ | El Niño approaches | Why cleantech exports have surged. Carbon Brief. https://www.carbonbrief.org/china-briefing-30-april-2026-fossil-fuel-strict-controls-el-nino-approaches-why-cleantech-exports-have-surged/ (Accessed: 4 May 2026).
Prolonged Middle East conflict also drives up prices for other goods, including fertilizers & has contributed to the Federal Reserve keeping the Federal Funds Rate in the 3.5% to 3.75% range. Higher interest rates further increase the cost of new car ownership, cooling demand.
On the positive side, Stellantis grew 4.4% YOY & rising gasoline prices have boosted demand for hybrids & electric vehicles, exemplified by Hyundai’s IONIQ 5, which surged 13%. The shift in energy demand is also fueling Chinese solar cell exports, which rose 99.2% in March compared to February. Overall, the automotive market faces turbulent months ahead, but these forces are accelerating a shift toward electric vehicles.
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2026, April 2). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2026. Retrieved May 4, 2026, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
Patel, A. (2026, April 30). China briefing 30 April 2026: Fossil fuel ‘strict controls’ | El Niño approaches | Why cleantech exports have surged. Carbon Brief. https://www.carbonbrief.org/china-briefing-30-april-2026-fossil-fuel-strict-controls-el-nino-approaches-why-cleantech-exports-have-surged/ (Accessed: 4 May 2026).
As anticipated in the previous January edition, U.S. new car sales declined 1.9% year-over-year (YOY) to 1,199,308 units. Higher vehicle prices, driven by geopolitical instability & supply chain disruptions stemming from tariff related trade tensions, negatively affected demand. Prolonged conflict in the Middle East could further increase gasoline prices. Because gasoline & automobiles are complementary goods, higher fuel costs may weaken demand for new vehicles. Despite the overall decline, several automakers recorded positive YOY sales growth, including Hyundai (6.6%), Stellantis (5.2%), Audi (4.5%) & Kia (4.3%). Going forward, the primary concern remains geopolitical instability & the potential widening of conflict in the Middle East. A successful resolution will be critical for supporting the health of both the U.S. & the global economies.
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2026, March 4). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2026. Retrieved March 16, 2026, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2026, March 4). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2026. Retrieved March 16, 2026, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
The beginning of 2026 has gotten off to a slow start, w/ U.S. new car sales dipping approximately 0.5% year-over-year (YOY) to 1,107,423 units. January is typically a slow selling month due to adverse weather conditions & late-month Winter Storm Fern further weighed on sales this year. Among notable performers, Kia posted YOY growth of 13.2%, driven by record sales of its electrified models. This was followed by Audi at 9.7%, Tesla at 9.5% & Toyota at 8%, which was significantly buoyed by strong demand for the Highlander at 68% growth, Camry at 15% & Tacoma at 14%.
Looking ahead to February, the Federal Reserve’s decision to pause rate cuts may continue to weigh on consumer affordability in the automotive market. As a result, a near-term sales spike appears unlikely. However, as 2026 progresses, developments in trade agreements & broader economic growth could materially alter the sales outlook.
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2026, February 4). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2026. Retrieved February 5, 2026, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
Looking ahead to February, the Federal Reserve’s decision to pause rate cuts may continue to weigh on consumer affordability in the automotive market. As a result, a near-term sales spike appears unlikely. However, as 2026 progresses, developments in trade agreements & broader economic growth could materially alter the sales outlook.
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2026, February 4). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2026. Retrieved February 5, 2026, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
U.S. new car sales declined slightly by 1.5% year-over-year (YOY) to 1,476,588 units, capping 2025 at 16,390,701 new vehicles sold. A combination of tariffs, expired EV credits, high borrowing costs & geopolitical issues including export restrictions affecting the Dutch semiconductor manufacturer Nexperia, which is owned by China’s Wingtech Technology, contributed to softer automotive demand. These factors also led to longer inventory turnover periods for manufacturers & dealers. Lincoln in particular saw inventory days exceed 100 at 101 days. Other brands with elevated inventory levels included Jeep at 86 days, RAM at 82 days, as well as Ford & Volkswagen at 79 days each. Notable YOY sales performers included Nissan with growth of 10.4%, Toyota at 10.3% & BMW at 7.6%. Looking ahead to 2026, supply chain stability, trade agreements & Federal Reserve monetary policy will be key factors shaping automotive industry sales.
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2026, January 6). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2025. Retrieved February 5, 2026, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2026, January 6). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2025. Retrieved February 5, 2026, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
November was a disappointing month, w/ U.S. new-car sales declining 6.7% year-over-year (YOY) to 1,274,624 units. Several factors contributed to this outcome, including the expiration of the federal tax credit, the Federal Reserve’s decision to pause rate cuts in November & the ongoing impact of tariffs. While most automakers reported declining sales, a few managed to stay above water, including Stellantis (7.8%), Toyota (2.7%) & Kia (2.7%). Looking ahead, all eyes are on central bank policymakers, w/ sentiment leaning toward a possible rate cut at the December 10 meeting due to a cooling labor market where tariffs & AI-driven efficiencies have contributed to job reductions.
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2025, December 3). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2025. Retrieved December 5, 2025, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2025, December 3). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2025. Retrieved December 5, 2025, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
As consumers reacted to the expiring federal tax credit on EVs, many shifted their planned purchases into September & this trend became evident in October’s decline in sales. U.S. new-car sales fell 5.2% year-over-year (YOY) to 1,272,043 units. The expiration of the federal tax credit played a major role, but the downtick was further fueled by tariffs. Even the negotiated U.S.–South Korea 15% tariff rate represents a steep increase from the Obama-era U.S.–Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA), which had phased out most rates to 0%. In this disappointing month, Toyota (11.8%) was the only significant performer. Given the ramifications of tariffs & the corresponding realignment of supply chains, the labor market is expected to cool further, which may continue to weigh on sales for the remainder of the year.
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2025, November 4). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2025. Retrieved December 5, 2025, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2025, November 4). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2025. Retrieved December 5, 2025, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
U.S. new car sales rose in September to 1,256,366 units, marking a 6.2% year-over-year (YOY) increase. The uptick was partly driven by a surge in electric vehicle (EV) demand ahead of the phase-out of federal subsidies at the end of the month.
The broader economy has also provided a strong backdrop for auto demand. The U.S. economy expanded by 3.8% in the second quarter of 2025, supported by accelerating consumer spending. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, both consumer & investment expenditures continued to rise in the third quarter, suggesting further momentum in car sales. It was a particularly strong month for several major automakers. BMW posted the largest gain at 26.4%, followed by Stellantis (+17.7%), Toyota (+14.2%), Hyundai (+12.8%), boosted by discounts on its Ioniq 5 electric SUV, Ford (+12.5%), Kia (+11.2%) & Tesla (+10.1%).
Looking ahead, the industry faces a few uncertainties. Automakers may continue to absorb tariffs in hopes of a reversal of trade restrictions, while the October government shutdown could temporarily dampen consumer sentiment. Still, with the economy gaining strength, the underlying demand for new vehicles remains solid.
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2025, October 2). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2025. Retrieved October 24, 2025, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta (2025, October 17). GDPNow. Retrieved October 24, 2025, from https://www.atlantafed.org/cqer/research/gdpnow
Bureau of Economic Analysis (2025, Sepember 25). Gross Domestic Product, 2nd Quarter 2025 (Third Estimate), GDP by Industry, Corporate Profits (Revised), and Annual Update. Retrieved October 24, 2025, from https://www.bea.gov/news/2025/gross-domestic-product-2nd-quarter-2025-third-estimate-gdp-industry-corporate-profits#:~:text=Real%20gross%20domestic%20product%20(GDP,decreased%200.6%20percent%20(revised).
The broader economy has also provided a strong backdrop for auto demand. The U.S. economy expanded by 3.8% in the second quarter of 2025, supported by accelerating consumer spending. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, both consumer & investment expenditures continued to rise in the third quarter, suggesting further momentum in car sales. It was a particularly strong month for several major automakers. BMW posted the largest gain at 26.4%, followed by Stellantis (+17.7%), Toyota (+14.2%), Hyundai (+12.8%), boosted by discounts on its Ioniq 5 electric SUV, Ford (+12.5%), Kia (+11.2%) & Tesla (+10.1%).
Looking ahead, the industry faces a few uncertainties. Automakers may continue to absorb tariffs in hopes of a reversal of trade restrictions, while the October government shutdown could temporarily dampen consumer sentiment. Still, with the economy gaining strength, the underlying demand for new vehicles remains solid.
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2025, October 2). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2025. Retrieved October 24, 2025, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta (2025, October 17). GDPNow. Retrieved October 24, 2025, from https://www.atlantafed.org/cqer/research/gdpnow
Bureau of Economic Analysis (2025, Sepember 25). Gross Domestic Product, 2nd Quarter 2025 (Third Estimate), GDP by Industry, Corporate Profits (Revised), and Annual Update. Retrieved October 24, 2025, from https://www.bea.gov/news/2025/gross-domestic-product-2nd-quarter-2025-third-estimate-gdp-industry-corporate-profits#:~:text=Real%20gross%20domestic%20product%20(GDP,decreased%200.6%20percent%20(revised).
U.S. new car sales rose in August to 1,459,369 units, which is up 2.3% year-over-year (YoY), partly fueled by a spike in EV demand w/ the phase-out of subsidies on the horizon. Meanwhile, a key court ruling found many of the Trump administration reciprocal tariffs unconstitutional, limiting presidential authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). That ruling, plus trade deals w/ South Korea, Japan, the EU & UK, collectively signals efforts to ease pricing pressures & boost the quantity demanded for new vehicles. A few words on top performers are in order. Toyota & Nissan (12.7%), Hyundai (11.3%), Kia (10.4%) & GM (5.9%) w/ GM’s EV sales hitting record highs. Lots of legal uncertainty remains around tariffs & higher court rulings could significantly impact car prices & demand going forward.
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2025, September 4). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2025. Retrieved September 8, 2025, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2025, September 4). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2025. Retrieved September 8, 2025, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
U.S. new car sales surged in July to 1,371,830 units, which represents a 7.5% year-over-year (YoY). One reason for this stellar increase could be attributed to a stronger than expected increase in the economy, w/ real GDP increasing at an annualized rate of 3.3% according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). As sales accelerated, the total vehicle inventory fell from 2.83 million at the end of June to 2.68 million units at the end of July. Toyota experienced an increase of 20.9% YOY driven in part by sales of RAV4, Grand Highlander, 4Runner & Corolla Cross. Other standout performers included Hyundai (14.4%), Mazda (13%), Stellantis (12.7%), GM (11.9%), Kia (11.9%) & Ford (10.4%). Looking ahead, resolving trade uncertainties in relation to tariffs remains one of most critical points that can impact the automotive sector.
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2025, August 4). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2025. Retrieved September 8, 2025, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
Bureau of Economic Analysis (2025, August 28). Gross Domestic Product, 2nd Quarter 2025 (Second Estimate) and Corporate Profits (Preliminary). Retrieved September 8, 2025, from https://www.bea.gov/news/2025/gross-domestic-product-2nd-quarter-2025-second-estimate-and-corporate-profits-preliminary#:~:text=BEA%2025%E2%80%9435-,Gross%20Domestic%20Product%2C%202nd%20Quarter%202025%20(Second%20Estimate)%20and,by%20a%20downturn%20in%20investment.
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2025, August 4). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2025. Retrieved September 8, 2025, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
Bureau of Economic Analysis (2025, August 28). Gross Domestic Product, 2nd Quarter 2025 (Second Estimate) and Corporate Profits (Preliminary). Retrieved September 8, 2025, from https://www.bea.gov/news/2025/gross-domestic-product-2nd-quarter-2025-second-estimate-and-corporate-profits-preliminary#:~:text=BEA%2025%E2%80%9435-,Gross%20Domestic%20Product%2C%202nd%20Quarter%202025%20(Second%20Estimate)%20and,by%20a%20downturn%20in%20investment.
U.S. new car sales declined in June, falling 5.6% year-over-year (YoY) to 1,259,037 units, marking a weak performance for the month. The drop was driven in part by declining sales from Japanese & European automakers, who remain especially vulnerable to lingering tariff policies from the Trump administration. Despite the overall slowdown, a few brands posted gains, including Ford (11%), as well as Hyundai & Genesis (4.5%). Trade & tariff-related uncertainty continues to weigh on the sector & it will be important to monitor how upcoming economic data, including jobs, unemployment & Q2 2025 real GDP reports, may shape demand moving forward.
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2025, July 2). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2025. Retrieved September 8, 2025, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2025, July 2). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2025. Retrieved September 8, 2025, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
Despite growing concerns about the broader economy, U.S. new car sales increased in May to 1,468,632 units, representing a 1.4% year-over-year (YoY) gain. Trade war & tariff uncertainties appear to have motivated some consumers to purchase vehicles ahead of anticipated price increases. Ford benefited significantly, extending its employee pricing program through June, which helped drive a strong 16.9% YoY sales increase in May. Other notable performers included Volvo, Hyundai & Toyota posting YoY gains of 15%, 8.1% & 7.6% respectively. However, the broader economic backdrop signals caution. Revised figures for Q1 2025 real GDP show a sharper contraction than previously estimated, i.e., a decrease of 0.5% versus the initial 0.3% decline. This downward revision could indicate softening demand ahead for the auto sector.
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2025, June 4). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2025. Retrieved July 2, 2025, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2025, June 4). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2025. Retrieved July 2, 2025, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
In April, U.S. new car sales rose 9.9% year-over-year (YoY) to 1,463,493 units. Inventory levels declined from 2.99 million units at the beginning of March to 2.66 million by mid-March & further to 2.57 million by mid-April. This drop likely reflects consumers accelerating purchases to take advantage of current pre-tariff prices in anticipation of higher prices later this year. Empirical data supports this trend, showing increased demand for vehicles from South Korean & Japanese automakers, which are vulnerable to tariffs. U.S. automakers such as General Motors (GM) are also impacted due to their dependence on global supply chains. Ford experienced a boost in sales after extending employee discount pricing to all consumers. Top-performing brands in March included Mazda (21% YoY increase), Genesis (20%), GM (19.6%), Hyundai (18.5%), Honda (18.1%), BMW (16.1%), Kia (13.8%) & Ford (13.3%). Looking ahead, trade uncertainty remains a major concern. This was underscored by a 0.3% contraction in real GDP in Q1 2025, signaling strong headwinds for the auto industry & broader economy if trade tensions persist.
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2025, May 2). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2025. Retrieved May 8, 2025, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2025, May 2). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2025. Retrieved May 8, 2025, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
In light of the current state of the automotive sector, today's edition could well be titled 'U.S. New Car Sales Surge Amid Tariff Fears.' Specifically, in March, U.S. new car sales rose 9.1% year-over-year (YoY) to 1,591,710 units. Inventory levels declined from 2.99 million new units at the beginning of March to 2.66 million by mid-March. This drop is likely driven by consumer fears over a 25% tariff on imported vehicles, which prompted many buyers to accelerate purchases in order to lock in lower pre-tariff prices. This preemptive shift in consumption is particularly evident in countries with which the U.S. has ratified free trade agreements, such as the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA) & the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The trend is supported by empirical data showing increased demand for vehicles from South Korean & Japanese automakers that are most vulnerable to the potential tariffs. American manufacturers like General Motors (GM) are also affected by this tariff policy, due to their reliance on international supply chains. GM, for instance, operates four plants in Mexico (Ramos Arizpe, Silao, San Luis Potosí & Toluca) to source many inputs & parts from abroad. As a result, March sales for GM, Subaru, Mazda, Hyundai, Honda & Kia posted YoY gains of 22.7%, 16.6%, 16.1%, 13.7%, 13.3% & 13.1%, respectively.
Looking ahead, resolving trade uncertainties remains a key concern. Furthermore, as consumers shift their spending toward imports, away from domestic goods & services; while, the government adopts austerity measures on its spending, GDP growth for Q1 2025 may fall short of prior forecasts. If economic conditions continue to deteriorate, the automotive industry may face significant headwinds later this year.
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2025, April 2). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2025. Retrieved May 7, 2025, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
Looking ahead, resolving trade uncertainties remains a key concern. Furthermore, as consumers shift their spending toward imports, away from domestic goods & services; while, the government adopts austerity measures on its spending, GDP growth for Q1 2025 may fall short of prior forecasts. If economic conditions continue to deteriorate, the automotive industry may face significant headwinds later this year.
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2025, April 2). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2025. Retrieved May 7, 2025, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
As we cautioned in our January edition, tariff uncertainties played a role in dampening automotive sales. U.S. new car sales in February declined 2.3% year-over-year (YoY) to 1,221,863 units. Inventory levels continued to rise, increasing from 2.88 million new units in early January to 2.95 million in early February. Acura, Nissan, Hyundai, Genesis, INFINITI, Buick, RAM, Jeep, Dodge, Ford & Lincoln held substantial inventories, translating to 55–142 days of supply. While the overall market softened, a few brands performed well. Volvo led with a 34.4% YoY increase, followed by Volkswagen (9.3%), General Motors (9.1%) & Kia (7.2%). Looking ahead, resolving trade uncertainties remains a critical factor. The imposition of tariffs would likely intensify inflationary pressures, potentially influencing the Federal Reserve’s decision in its March meeting. A more cautious Fed could delay interest rate cuts, leading to continued higher borrowing costs for automotive consumers & further impacting demand.
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2025, March 4). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2025. Retrieved March 18, 2025, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2025, March 4). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2025. Retrieved March 18, 2025, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
U.S. new car sales in January rose 3.8% year-over-year (YoY) to 1,112,944 units, despite ongoing uncertainties surrounding U.S.-Canada-Mexico tariff disputes. These concerns were heightened as the U.S. administration proposed a series of new tariffs on Canadian & Mexican imports. The growth was driven in part by increased electric vehicle sales from Hyundai, Kia & Honda. Meanwhile, total new vehicle inventory climbed to approximately 2.88 million units, with INFINITI, Nissan, Buick, Lincoln, Dodge & Fiat carrying significant stock, equating to an estimated 62 to 122 days of inventory turnover.
Among standout performers, Volkswagen saw the highest YoY sales growth (28.3%), followed by General Motors (18.6%), Mercedes-Benz (16.1%), Nissan (14.9%), Hyundai (14.6%), Kia (11.6%) & Mazda (11.3%). Looking ahead, resolving trade uncertainties will be a key factor. If tariffs are implemented, they could exacerbate inflationary pressures, making the Federal Reserve more hesitant to lower interest rates. This, in turn, could lead to higher borrowing costs for automotive consumers, potentially dampening future sales growth.
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2025, February 4). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2025. Retrieved March 17, 2025, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
Among standout performers, Volkswagen saw the highest YoY sales growth (28.3%), followed by General Motors (18.6%), Mercedes-Benz (16.1%), Nissan (14.9%), Hyundai (14.6%), Kia (11.6%) & Mazda (11.3%). Looking ahead, resolving trade uncertainties will be a key factor. If tariffs are implemented, they could exacerbate inflationary pressures, making the Federal Reserve more hesitant to lower interest rates. This, in turn, could lead to higher borrowing costs for automotive consumers, potentially dampening future sales growth.
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2025, February 4). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2025. Retrieved March 17, 2025, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
U.S. new car sales in 2024 ended on a high note, reaching a total of 15,954,053 units, a 2.1% year-over-year (YOY) increase. December sales contributed to this growth with a 1.8% YOY rise, totaling 1,491,310 units. Mitsubishi led the market for the third consecutive month with an impressive 22.1% surge. Other strong performers included Kia (21.6%), GM (18.6%), Mercedes-Benz (13%) & Honda (9.9%). Looking ahead, 2025 is poised to be a much stronger year for the automotive industry, supported by a strong economy, a looming corporate tax reduction & declining interest rates.
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2025, January 6). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2024. Retrieved January 7, 2025, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2025, January 6). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2024. Retrieved January 7, 2025, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
U.S. new car sales in November continued the upward momentum from October, climbing an impressive 9.8% year-over-year (YOY) to 1,363,968 units. This growth was driven by larger incentives, holiday promotions & price reductions designed to clear year-end inventory. Mitsubishi led the market for the second consecutive month with a remarkable 50.8% surge. Other top performers included Mercedes-Benz (24.2%), GM (21.5%), Mazda (20.5%), Kia (20.2%), Nissan (18.3%), VW (15.3%), Honda (14.5%), Ford (11.3%), BMW (11.2%) & Hyundai (10.4%). Looking ahead, December auto sales are expected to remain strong, supported by a robust economy & declining interest rates.
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2024, December 4). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2024. Retrieved January 6, 2025, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2024, December 4). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2024. Retrieved January 6, 2025, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
U.S. new car sales in October showed impressive growth, rising 9.5% year-over-year (YOY) to 1,327,307 units, even amidst pre-election uncertainty. This growth was fueled in part by increased manufacturer incentives (e.g., Mazda) & slightly lower interest rates. Mazda experienced a remarkable 58.8% YOY surge, while Mitsubishi led the market with an extraordinary 69.9% increase. Other standout performers included GM (23.9%), Hyundai (18.2%), Kia (16.4%), Mercedes-Benz (15%), Nissan (13.1%) & Ford (12.3%). Looking ahead, the outlook for auto sales remains strong for the rest of 2024, supported by a robust economy & declining interest rates.
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2024, November 5). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2024. Retrieved January 6, 2025, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2024, November 5). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2024. Retrieved January 6, 2025, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
In September, U.S. new car sales declined 12% year-over-year (YOY) to 1,176,847 units, though there were three fewer selling days compared to last September. Higher borrowing costs & disruptions from Hurricane Helene likely contributed to the drop. Despite the overall decline, Mitsubishi, Tesla & Mazda saw YOY increases of 24%, 9.1% & 6.5%, respectively. Hyundai reported higher hybrid sales, while Kia softened its decline from strong sales of its EV9 & plug-in hybrids. Another positive was an 11.7% YOY increase in GMC Sierra sales. Looking ahead to Q4 2024, the Federal Reserve's decisions on interest rates will be key to a potential recovery in automotive sales.
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2024, October 2). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2024. Retrieved October 22, 2024, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2024, October 2). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2024. Retrieved October 22, 2024, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
In August, U.S. new car sales surged by 6% year-over-year (YOY), reaching 1,421,551 units, with Labor Day weekend providing a significant boost. Among the top performers was Honda, showing a remarkable 25% YOY growth, continuing its upward trajectory over the past 18 months. Other brands that saw strong growth include Mazda, which led the pack with a 36.7% YOY increase, followed by Volkswagen at 29.3%, Hyundai at 21.2%, Subaru at 11.8% & Ford at 10.1%. Subaru's success was largely driven by the Crosstrek, which enjoyed an impressive 47% jump in sales, making August its best month ever. As we move into the fall, many in the automotive industry are closely watching the Federal Reserve's upcoming decision on interest rates, which could significantly influence sales in the coming months.
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2024, September 5). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2024. Retrieved September 6, 2024, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
Subaru of America, Inc. (2024, September 4). Subaru of America reports august sales up 11.8 percent; Crosstrek posts all-time monthly sales record. Retrieved September 6, 2024, from https://media.subaru.com/pressrelease/2203/1/subaru-america-reports-august-sales-up-11.8-percent
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2024, September 5). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2024. Retrieved September 6, 2024, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
Subaru of America, Inc. (2024, September 4). Subaru of America reports august sales up 11.8 percent; Crosstrek posts all-time monthly sales record. Retrieved September 6, 2024, from https://media.subaru.com/pressrelease/2203/1/subaru-america-reports-august-sales-up-11.8-percent
U.S. new auto sales in July declined by 2.8% year-on-year (YOY), totaling 1,277,232 units, as the market continued to feel the lingering effects of the CDK cyberattack disruptions. Despite the overall decline, several brands, including Mazda, Volkswagen, Honda & Nissan, posted significant YOY gains of 30.1%, 25.5%, 8.0% & 4.8%, respectively. Notably, while inventory build-up typically signals an impending decline in sales, this dynamic played out differently for Nissan & Stellantis. Stellantis saw a sharp YOY sales drop of 25.7%, as anticipated, but Nissan defied expectations with the aforementioned sales increase. Looking ahead, fall sales may be influenced by the Federal Reserve's decision on whether to cut the federal funds rate & by how much. Lower interest rates could make car purchases more affordable, potentially benefiting automakers.
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2024, August 2). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2024. Retrieved September 4, 2024, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2024, August 2). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2024. Retrieved September 4, 2024, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
June U.S. new auto sales took a hit due to a combination of factors, including higher interest rates & a CDK cyberattack on June 19th, which disrupted sales operations for about 15,000 dealerships. Anderson Economic Group estimated that the cyberattack & resulting software outages caused dealers to lose 56,200 new-vehicle sales & $1.02 billion between June 19 & July 15. Consequently, 1,344,092 new units were sold in June, marking a 3% year-on-year (YOY) decrease. There were a few bright spots, such as Volkswagen & Mazda, which reported YOY gains of 29.8% & 19.8%, respectively. Given the impact of the CDK incident, it is unclear how quickly the software outages will be resolved to help dealers recover some of the lost sales by the end of July.
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2024, July 4). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2024. Retrieved July 16, 2024, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
Huetter, J. (2024, July 15). Dealerships lost $1.02B in business after CDK cyberattack, updated AEG study says Anderson Economic Group estimated dealerships lost 56,200 new-vehicle sales and $1.02 billion between June 19 and July 15 because of the CDK Global cyberattacks and subsequent software outages. Automotive News. Available at:
from https://www.autonews.com/dealers/dealers-lost-102b-cdk-cyberattack-revised-aeg-study-says (Accessed: 16 July 2024).
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2024, July 4). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2024. Retrieved July 16, 2024, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
Huetter, J. (2024, July 15). Dealerships lost $1.02B in business after CDK cyberattack, updated AEG study says Anderson Economic Group estimated dealerships lost 56,200 new-vehicle sales and $1.02 billion between June 19 and July 15 because of the CDK Global cyberattacks and subsequent software outages. Automotive News. Available at:
from https://www.autonews.com/dealers/dealers-lost-102b-cdk-cyberattack-revised-aeg-study-says (Accessed: 16 July 2024).
May was a strong month for U.S. auto sales, which surged to 1,444,543 units, showing impressive year-on-year (YOY) & month-on-month (MOM) increases of 5% & 8.8%, respectively. Among the high performers, we highlight Jaguar, Land Rover (JLR), Volkswagen (VW), Lucid, Toyota & Hyundai, which saw YOY gains of 76.46%, 35.3%, 19.4%, 14.2% & 11.6%. On a model level, many of April's best sellers continued to perform strongly in May, with the Honda Civic, Toyota RAV4, Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Silverado & Honda CR-V posting gains of 48.9%, 24.7%, 21.8%, 15.2% & 11% compared to May 2023.
A notable development is Lucid's recent trademark filing with the United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) to claim the name "Ocean." Previously, Ocean was the flagship model of Fisker. However, with Fisker filing for bankruptcy protection this month (June 2024), Lucid may now use Ocean as a model name. This bankruptcy highlights the ongoing shake-ups in the automotive industry, which may be further intensified by the potential entry of Chinese manufacturers like BYD. As we move forward, the dynamic shifts within the automotive market will be crucial to watch, with new players & strategic moves shaping the future landscape of the industry.
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2024, June 4). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2024. Retrieved June 20, 2024, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
Doll, S. (2024, June 19). Lucid Ocean? With Fisker now bankrupt, another EV automaker is swooping in on the trademark. Electrek. Available at:
from https://electrek.co/2024/06/19/lucid-ocean-fisker-bankrupt-ev-automaker-trademark-filing/ (Accessed: 20 June 2024).
A notable development is Lucid's recent trademark filing with the United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) to claim the name "Ocean." Previously, Ocean was the flagship model of Fisker. However, with Fisker filing for bankruptcy protection this month (June 2024), Lucid may now use Ocean as a model name. This bankruptcy highlights the ongoing shake-ups in the automotive industry, which may be further intensified by the potential entry of Chinese manufacturers like BYD. As we move forward, the dynamic shifts within the automotive market will be crucial to watch, with new players & strategic moves shaping the future landscape of the industry.
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2024, June 4). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2024. Retrieved June 20, 2024, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
Doll, S. (2024, June 19). Lucid Ocean? With Fisker now bankrupt, another EV automaker is swooping in on the trademark. Electrek. Available at:
from https://electrek.co/2024/06/19/lucid-ocean-fisker-bankrupt-ev-automaker-trademark-filing/ (Accessed: 20 June 2024).
April marked a disappointing month for automotive sales in the U.S., with a 2.4% year-on-year decrease & an 8.1% month-on-month decline, totaling 1,327,976 units. This slump can be partly attributed to waning consumer sentiment regarding job security, future income & business confidence, as reflected in the 5.92% retreat of the Consumer Confidence Index tracked by the Conference Board. Despite the overall decline, some automakers like Jaguar, Land Rover (JLR), Volkswagen (VW), Toyota & Volvo saw monthly gains of 55.7%, 27.2%, 13.7% & 10.3%. Additionally, standout models such as the Honda Civic, Toyota RAV4, Toyota Corolla & Chevrolet Silverado recorded notable increases of 35.1%, 32.2%, 27.0% & 8.1% compared to April 2023. Interest rates are critical to automotive sales; hence, a few words might be warranted on that topic. Economic variables like the Producer Price Index & consumer inflation expectations (that's hovering around 3%) may continue to fuel market uncertainty as a result of potential rate hikes by the Fed. Higher rates could pose challenges for automotive sales in the near future, so there will be a lot to digest in coming months!.
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2024, May 2). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2024. Retrieved May 11, 2024, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
The Conference Board (2024, April 30). US Consumer Confidence Retreats in April. Retrieved May 11, 2024, from https://www.conference-board.org/topics/consumer-confidence
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (2024, March 01). Monetary Policy Report – March 2024. Retrieved May 11, 2024, from https://www.federalreserve.gov/monetarypolicy/2024-03-mpr-summary.htm
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2024, May 2). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2024. Retrieved May 11, 2024, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
The Conference Board (2024, April 30). US Consumer Confidence Retreats in April. Retrieved May 11, 2024, from https://www.conference-board.org/topics/consumer-confidence
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (2024, March 01). Monetary Policy Report – March 2024. Retrieved May 11, 2024, from https://www.federalreserve.gov/monetarypolicy/2024-03-mpr-summary.htm
In March, U.S. sales surged to 1,455,030 units, showing impressive year-on-year (YOY) & month-on-month (MOM) increases of 5.1% & 15.5% respectively. Noteworthy brands such as Rivian, Mitsubishi, Volvo, Volkswagen (VW), Jaguar, Land Rover (JLR), Toyota & Subaru saw remarkable YOY gains of 74.3%, 52.8%, 49.7%, 36.9%, 35.1%, 22.5% & 15.2%. Among the standout models were Toyota RAV4, Honda Civic, GMC Sierra, Toyota Camry & Honda CR-V, which recorded gains of 51.2%, 44.9%, 21.7%, 21.3% & 17.9% compared to March 2023. Looking forward, while steady sales are anticipated, caution is warranted following the stronger-than-expected inflation rate relayed in the March CPI report. Attention is now on the Federal Reserve & its decision on rates, which could potentially dampen automotive sales momentum.
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2024, April 3). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2024. Retrieved April 16, 2024, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2024, April 3). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2024. Retrieved April 16, 2024, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
February showed robust performance with significant growth across various metrics! Sales soared with impressive year-on-year (YOY) & month-on-month (MOM) increases, fueled in part by the strong growth in the U.S. Real GDP in the last quarter of '23 (3.3%, which is an advance estimate released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis). Notably, Rivian, Jaguar, Land Rover (JLR), Lucid, Honda, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Volkswagen (VW) & Toyota showcased remarkable YOY gains of 93.8%, 64.2%, 32.5%, 32.3%, 26.6%, 25.9%, 17.7% & 16.9%. Furthermore, standout models like the Honda CR-V, Nissan Rogue, Toyota RAV4, Honda Civic & Tesla Model Y experienced substantial increases 98.6%, 44.9%, 44.0%, 36.6% & 17.2%, pointing towards continued positive trends. Looking ahead, we anticipate ongoing production increases across automakers, likely resulting in more discounts & negotiations for consumers in March & beyond.
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2024, March 4). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2024. Retrieved March 16, 2024, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
Bureau of Economic Analysis (2024, January 25). Gross Domestic Product, Fourth Quarter and Year 2023 (Advance Estimate). Retrieved March 16, 2024, from https://www.bea.gov/news/2024/gross-domestic-product-fourth-quarter-and-year-2023-advance-estimate#:~:text=Real%20gross%20domestic%20product%20(GDP,the%20Bureau%20of%20Economic%20Analysis.
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2024, March 4). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2024. Retrieved March 16, 2024, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
Bureau of Economic Analysis (2024, January 25). Gross Domestic Product, Fourth Quarter and Year 2023 (Advance Estimate). Retrieved March 16, 2024, from https://www.bea.gov/news/2024/gross-domestic-product-fourth-quarter-and-year-2023-advance-estimate#:~:text=Real%20gross%20domestic%20product%20(GDP,the%20Bureau%20of%20Economic%20Analysis.
In January, there was significant news to digest, including the release of a new reliability report by J.D. Power & updated sales figures for January 2024. Sales in the U.S. reached 1,082,620 units, marking a Year-On-Year (YOY) increase of 2.2% with an extra selling day compared to 2023. Before delving into reliability metrics, it's important to recognize the top performers for the month.
Rivian, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Toyota, Polestar & Lucid all experienced notable YOY gains of 103.4%, 31.8%, 23.6%, 21.6%, 19.8% & 11.7% respectively. On a model-level, the Toyota RAV4, Toyota Camry, Honda CR-V, Honda Civic, Ford Explorer & Tesla Model Y showed significant increases of 46.4%, 32.3%, 31.6%, 23.6%, 20.6% & 19.7% respectively.
The robust sales of Toyota vehicles are closely correlated with their high reliability metrics. Lexus and Toyota secured the top two spots as the most reliable brands. Following them were Buick, Chevrolet, MINI, Porsche, Mazda, Kia, BMW, Dodge & Jeep, with BMW, Dodge & Jeep tied for the 9th spot.
Overall, J.D. Power identified 4 more problems per 100 vehicles compared to the previous year, with a significant portion of issues related to infotainment systems. However, this trend is expected to improve as technology components evolve & supply-chain constraints normalize, leading to enhanced quality.
In the car segment, the Toyota Camry, Honda Civic, Lexus ES, Toyota Corolla & Porsche 718 emerged as the most reliable vehicles in their respective classes. In the SUV segment, the Lexus NX (followed closely by the Cadillac XT4), Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Tahoe, Toyota 4Runner, Chevrolet Traverse, Buick Encore, BMW X1, BMW X6 & Lexus RX were the top performers. Meanwhile, in the van and pickup segment, the Kia Sedona (with Toyota Sienna as a close runner-up), Ford Super Duty (with GMC Sierra HD closely trailing), Toyota Tundra (with GMC Sierra in close competition) & Toyota Tacoma were recognized as the most reliable options.
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2024, February 2). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2024. Retrieved February 13, 2024, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
Bell, S. (2024, February 10). Toyota Tops Most Dependable Brands And Cars Survey, Chrysler Dead Last. Carscoops. Retrieved February 13, 2024, from https://www.carscoops.com/2024/02/toyota-and-lexus-lead-2024-vehicle-dependability-study-chrysler-comes-in-dead-last/
Rivian, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Toyota, Polestar & Lucid all experienced notable YOY gains of 103.4%, 31.8%, 23.6%, 21.6%, 19.8% & 11.7% respectively. On a model-level, the Toyota RAV4, Toyota Camry, Honda CR-V, Honda Civic, Ford Explorer & Tesla Model Y showed significant increases of 46.4%, 32.3%, 31.6%, 23.6%, 20.6% & 19.7% respectively.
The robust sales of Toyota vehicles are closely correlated with their high reliability metrics. Lexus and Toyota secured the top two spots as the most reliable brands. Following them were Buick, Chevrolet, MINI, Porsche, Mazda, Kia, BMW, Dodge & Jeep, with BMW, Dodge & Jeep tied for the 9th spot.
Overall, J.D. Power identified 4 more problems per 100 vehicles compared to the previous year, with a significant portion of issues related to infotainment systems. However, this trend is expected to improve as technology components evolve & supply-chain constraints normalize, leading to enhanced quality.
In the car segment, the Toyota Camry, Honda Civic, Lexus ES, Toyota Corolla & Porsche 718 emerged as the most reliable vehicles in their respective classes. In the SUV segment, the Lexus NX (followed closely by the Cadillac XT4), Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Tahoe, Toyota 4Runner, Chevrolet Traverse, Buick Encore, BMW X1, BMW X6 & Lexus RX were the top performers. Meanwhile, in the van and pickup segment, the Kia Sedona (with Toyota Sienna as a close runner-up), Ford Super Duty (with GMC Sierra HD closely trailing), Toyota Tundra (with GMC Sierra in close competition) & Toyota Tacoma were recognized as the most reliable options.
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2024, February 2). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2024. Retrieved February 13, 2024, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
Bell, S. (2024, February 10). Toyota Tops Most Dependable Brands And Cars Survey, Chrysler Dead Last. Carscoops. Retrieved February 13, 2024, from https://www.carscoops.com/2024/02/toyota-and-lexus-lead-2024-vehicle-dependability-study-chrysler-comes-in-dead-last/
Happy New Year & we're excited to sum up the results for new car sales in '23, as well as mention a few developing storylines that will spark the imagination! December was a positive month for both light trucks (SUVs & pickup trucks) & passenger cars, incrementing the overall new vehicle sales in the U.S. by 1,454,246 units, which is a Year-On-Year (YOY) increase of 13%. This is a significant year-end result, pointing to the trajectory of recovery, or the start of the convergence to pre-pandemic new car sales levels, where on a seasonally adjusted annualized basis the month of December surpassed 16 million units. Tesla, Rivian, Polestar & Lucid posted 25.4%, 146.5%, 29.2% & 117.6% gains for all of '23. Many legacy automakers had a great run in '23 w/ Honda, Volvo, Mazda, Nissan, Volvo & JLR (Jaguar, Land Rover) posting 31.5%, 25.8%, 23.2%, 23.2% & 16.9%. Big news came out of China, as a number of startups like Xiaomi, as well as recently well-established automotive companies like BYD & Li Auto are intensifying their entries in different international markets by ramping up the production of EVs & hybrid vehicles. BYD, in particular, dethroned Tesla as the top EV producer in the 4th quarter of '23 & that's a notable result given how aggressive BYD is when it comes to finding ways of cutting production & operational costs in order to deliver low-priced vehicles to consumers. This increased level of competition from companies that are laser focused on cost-cutting techniques, like BYD, will certainly raise eyebrows in many executive suits, prompting their teams to go back to the drawing board! Going forward, we definitely expect more competition to spur more innovations to drive production of lower priced EVs to hit that sweet spot to attract conventional car shoppers who go beyond early adopters! Stay tuned for more news!
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2024, January 4). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2023. Retrieved January 7, 2024, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2024, January 4). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2023. Retrieved January 7, 2024, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
November was again strong for light trucks (SUVs & pickup trucks) boosting the overall new vehicle sales in the U.S. to 1,242,376, which is a Year-On-Year (YOY) increase of 8.8%. Tesla, Rivian, Polestar & Lucid posted 17.6%, 85.1%, 22.3% & 29.5% YOY gains respectively. Many legacy automakers had an October lackluster repeat, but VW, Honda, Volvo & Toyota were the shinning stars posting YOY increases in sales of 47.2%, 32.8%, 26.4% & 17.8%. As is mentioned above, light trucks continued its strong momentum from prior months. Honda CR-V sales continued to climb at a 59.7% rate, Tesla Model Y was up 55.9%, Toyota RAV4, Chevrolet Equinox, Hyundai Tucson & GMC Sierra were up 49.5%, 35.3%, 33.1% & 30.8% respectively. All eyes are now on the final month of the year & it's a race to see if the annual new vehicle sales in the US can finally surpass a 16-million level that hasn't been achieved since pre-pandemic years.
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2023, December 5). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2023. Retrieved December 9, 2023, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2023, December 5). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2023. Retrieved December 9, 2023, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
October proved to be a disappointing month, where sales & production were partly affected by the United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) labor strikes against General Motors, Ford & Stellantis, as well as little to no help on interest rates with the Federal Reserve's decision to maintain its federal funds rate within a 5.25%-5.5% target range. Overall, 1,211,141 new vehicles were sold in the US in October, which represents a Year-On-Year (YOY) increase of 2%, where the slight increase was buoyed by a 3% increase in sales of light trucks (SUVs & pickup trucks). Tesla, Rivian, Polestar & Lucid posted 17.3%, 74.4%, 22.5% & 123.5% YOY gains respectively. Legacy automakers didn't have a strong showing w/ the exception of Honda, Volvo, VW & Subaru posting YOY increases in sales of 32.6%, 19.2%, 16.8% & 10.7%. On a positive note, many SUVs maintained strong momentum from previous months. Honda CR-V sales continued to climb at a 55.7% rate, Tesla Model Y was up 55.5%, Toyota RAV4, Nissan Rogue & GMC Sierra were up 19.2%, 14.3% & 13.4% respectively. One notable exception on the passenger side, was Toyota Corolla, which had a strong month, posting an increase of 36.7% in its sales. Looking ahead, a strong finish in the last quarter of 2023 is anticipated due to the economy's resiliency to the aforementioned challenges & its continued growth at a very robust pace of 4.9% (as measured by the 3rd quarter increase in the real gross domestic product).
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2023, November 2). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
Bureau of Economic Analysis (2023, October 26). Gross Domestic Product, Third Quarter 2023 (Advance Estimate). Retrieved November 10, 2023, from https://www.bea.gov/news/2023/gross-domestic-product-third-quarter-2023-advance-estimate
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2023, November 2). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
Bureau of Economic Analysis (2023, October 26). Gross Domestic Product, Third Quarter 2023 (Advance Estimate). Retrieved November 10, 2023, from https://www.bea.gov/news/2023/gross-domestic-product-third-quarter-2023-advance-estimate
September sales didn't disappoint, as we've witnessed a continuum of growth from where we've left off in August! Overall, 1,337,707 new vehicles have been sold in September in the US, which represents a Year-On-Year (YOY) increase of 19%, which, again to a large degree, can be attributed to a 19.7% YOY increase in light truck sales (SUVs & pickup trucks). Tesla, Rivian, Polestar & Lucid posted 15.4%, 125.7%, 24.8% & 151.4% YOY gains respectively. Legacy automakers, for the most part, had a strong month with Volvo, Honda, Nissan, VW, Mitsubishi, Subaru & General Motors posting YOY increases in sales of 55.8%, 45.5%, 36.8%, 25.5%, 23.8%, 23.4% & 21.9%! As mentioned above, SUV & pickup truck sales picked up its pace from a year ago, so it wasn't surprising to see a number of SUVs & pickup trucks performing well in the month of September. Honda CR-V sales continued its uptick with another impressive run of 55.7%, Tesla Model Y was up 53.1%, Chevrolet Silverado saw its sales going up by 30.2%, GMC Sierra posted an impressive increase of 29.8%, Ford F-Series went up by 26.6%, Nissan Rogue & Toyota RAV4 were up 26.1% & 19.8% respectively. Looking ahead, the focus of the conversation shifted to the United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) contract talks with Detroit's Big Three automakers, as it's still uncertain how these negotiations will be resolved. If no resolution is to be reached any time soon, UAW strikes can have serious repercussions on the production side of the aforementioned Big Three automakers; albeit, wage increase demands coupled with efforts to bring EV factories into the UAW fold will have cost ramifications for Big Three automakers, where some of these cost increases might be passed onto consumers in the form of price increases.
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2023, October 4). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2023. Retrieved October 10, 2023, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
Sources:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2023, October 4). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2023. Retrieved October 10, 2023, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
It's time to wrap up the movers & shakers at the end of the summer with August sales finishing up on the uptick. Overall, 1,341,169 new vehicles have been sold in August in the US, which represents a Year-On-Year (YOY) increase of 16.2%, which, to a large degree, can be attributed to a 17.2% YOY increase in light truck sales (SUVs & pickup trucks). Sales are expected to increase in the remainder of the year, with automakers continually being pressured by free market competitive forces to solving supply-chain constraints, as well as finding incentive solutions to financing challenges given the Fed's hawkish stance on the monetary policy. EV automakers featured a newcomer, VinFast, a Singapore-based automotive company entering the US market by selling 394 units in August. Tesla, Rivian, Polestar & Lucid posted 33.7%, 108%, 26.4% & 163.4% YOY gains respectively, where Tesla competitors' strong growth combined with the debut of VinFast caused Tesla to slightly slip in its US market share to 4.4%. On the legacy automaker side, a number of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) did really well with Honda, Nissan, JLR (Jaguar Land Rover), Volvo, Mitsubishi & General Motors posting YOY increases in sales of 56.7%, 45.2%, 39.1%, 30.8%, 30.7% & 22.2%! As mentioned above, SUV & pickup truck sales picked up its pace from a year ago, so it wasn't surprising to see a number of SUVs & pickup trucks performing well in the month of August. To name a few, Tesla Model Y was up 74.4% (which, in part, was a response to the decrease in its price in August), Honda CR-V was up 71.4%, GMC Sierra posted an impressive increase of 48.4%, Nissan Rogue increased by 47.3%, Chevrolet Silverado & Toyota RAV4 were up 22.8% & 20.3% respectively. One interesting dynamic of passenger cars was a massive increase of 53.1% for Toyota Corolla, which represented a further increase from its July growth mark of 33.5%. Interestingly enough, during the first quarter of '23 Tesla Model Y overtook over Toyota Corolla as the best-selling car in the world, so continued sale growth trajectories of both models, collectively, is a welcoming trend in the automotive industry with consumers being spoiled with a newly-born rivalry (relatively speaking). Looking ahead, the focus will be on the sales data coming from the Labor Day weekend & September in particular to signal as to how the automotive sales dynamic may play out in the final quarter of '23.
Source:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2023, August 2). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2023. Retrieved August 2, 2023, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
Source:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2023, August 2). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2023. Retrieved August 2, 2023, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
What a month it has been featuring a lot of moves in the automotive sector, so let's recap. Overall, 1,322,447 new vehicles have been sold in the US in July, which represents a Year-On-Year (YOY) increase of 15.4%. EV automakers Tesla, Lucid & Rivian posted 39.7%, 126.3% & 106.3% YOY gains respectively, propelling Tesla to capture a US market share of 4.5%. We believe this trend will continue given Tesla's drive to increase its production capacity in '24 by adding gigawatt hours of battery production across their plants. Many legacy automakers were equally impressive with Volvo, Honda, JLR (Jaguar Land Rover), Mitsubishi, Nissan, Mazda, Subaru & General Motors leading the way with YOY increases in sales of 113.2%, 56.9%, 55%, 43.9%, 40.5%, 30.9%, 21.3% & 19.6%! Many legacy automakers are working hard to increase their EV production in '24 & '25, with General Motors, as one notable example, expecting to surpass a 1-million mark at some point in '25. A few words on the best-selling models might be in order. Nissan Rogue, Tesla Model Y, GMC Sierra & Honda CR-V are up 82.9%, 82.2%, 62.6% & 51.8% YOY! One factor that may contribute to the aforementioned trend is the national average gas price that came down significantly from its heights just a year ago, playing a complementary effect for Nissan Rogue, GMC Sierra & Honda CR-V SUV & pick-up truck sales. There were also reports that Tesla cut down prices (per kWh) in various regions throughout July, 2022-July, 2023, so that dynamic can be interpreted as an attempt to remain competitive in the cost of vehicle operation & may have helped with Model Y sales.
Source:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2023, August 2). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2023. Retrieved August 2, 2023, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
Source:
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2023, August 2). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2023. Retrieved August 2, 2023, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
June has been impressive with new vehicle sales reaching 1,385,862 units, which is a whooping Year-On-Year (YOY) increase of 20.8%. So there's a lot to unpack here! EV automakers Tesla, Lucid & Rivian posted 39.5%, 205.5% & 189% YOY gains respectively, propelling Tesla to capture a US market share of 4.3%. As for legacy automakers, brace yourself to see big numbers across many of those auto manufacturers! Mazda saw its YOY sales soaring 96.9%; while, JLR (Jaguar Land Rover), Honda, Volvo, Nissan, Subaru & General Motors were equally impressive with YOY increases in sales of 63.3%, 56.9%, 53.3%, 47.3%, 27.8% & 17.6%! As is evident from these trends, EVs are on the rise, so let's take a look at the vehicle market share by powertrain. Internal combustion Engine (ICE) cars compromise 84.6% of the market; whereas, EVs, Hybrid & Plug-in Hybrid cars captured 6.9%, 6.9% & 1.6% respectively. These trends have been consistent with Tesla capturing more market share from just a few years ago. There are more peculiar trends on the best-selling model level. Nissan Rogue, Tesla Model Y, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Honda CR-V & GMC Sierra are up 124.8%, 81.9%, 52.8%, 36.3% & 28.3% YOY! These increasing numbers partially come as a result of pent-up demand & YOY increased incentives offered by manufacturers & despite the Fed's tightening monetary policy. Looking ahead, incentives will be a category worth keeping close tabs on, especially as inventory volumes keep recovering from pandemic levels.
Sources:
Wards Intelligence
Patrick Manzi (2023), June 2023 Market Upbeat. National Automobile Dealers Association
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2023, July 6). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2023. Retrieved August 2, 2023, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month
Sources:
Wards Intelligence
Patrick Manzi (2023), June 2023 Market Upbeat. National Automobile Dealers Association
MarkLines, Co., Ltd. (2023, July 6). USA - Automotive Sales volume, 2023. Retrieved August 2, 2023, from https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_sales/automotive-sales-in-usa-by-month