Recent Updates

  • Australia: Sydney and Melbourne Labor Force Summary (Jan)
  • Japan: Input Output Prices (Jan)
  • US: New Residential Sales, Final Building Permits (Jan)
  • Belgium: Employment Indexes (Q4)
  • more updates...

Economy in Brief

U.S. Light Vehicle Sales Fell
by Tom Moeller June 2, 2005

May sales of light vehicles reversed all of the prior month's gain and fell 4.5% to 16.67M according to the Autodata Corporation.

Car sales were notably weak following a firm April and fell 7.5%. So far this year the average level of car sales is 1.2% above last year.

Sales of light trucks fell 2.0% m/m to 9.14M. The average of truck sales so far this year is down 2.1% versus the first five months of 2004.

Imports' share of the US market for new vehicles was about stable at 20.5% in May, up from 19.9% in 2004.

Gasoline prices fell to an average $2.10 per gallon during the last week of May, down 8.0% from the weekly high of $2.28 in early April but still up 13.2% from last year's average $1.85.
Light Vehicle Sales (SAAR, Mil. Units) May April Y/Y 2004 2003 2002
Total 16.67 17.46 -5.9% 16.88 16.63 16.81
  Autos 7.53 8.14 -4.7% 7.49 7.62 8.07
  Trucks 9.14 9.32 -6.9% 9.39 9.01 8.74
close
large image