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Viewpoints
Commentaries are the opinions of the author and do not reflect the views of Haver Analytics.
by Tom Moeller February 1, 2019
Sales of light vehicles fell 4.8% (-2.8% y/y) during January to 16.70 million units (SAAR), the lowest level since August 2017.
A 7.9% decline (-1.9% y/y) in light truck sales to 11.24 million units led the decline after a 0.7% gain in the prior month. Sales of domestically-produced light trucks fell 8.2% (-3.4% y/y) to 8.96 million units following a 0.5% rise in December. Sales of imported light trucks declined 6.6% (+4.7% y/y) to 2.28 million units after a 1.2% rise.
Trucks’ share of the U.S. vehicle market declined to 67.3%, the lowest level since February of last year.
Passenger car sales improved 2.1% (-4.8% y/y) last month to 5.46 million units following declines during the prior two months. Sales of domestically-made cars improved 0.5% (-2.6% y/y) to 4.01 million units. Meanwhile, sales of imported passenger cars jumped 6.6% (-10.4% y/y) to 1.45 million units after three months of sharp decline.
Imports’ share of the U.S. vehicle market rose last month to 22.3%, the highest level in four months. Imports share of the passenger car market increased to 26.6%, but remained below the 28.6% high last April. Imports share of the light truck market improved to 20.3%.
U.S. vehicle sales figures can be found in Haver's USECON database. Additional detail by manufacturer is in the INDUSTRY database.
U.S. Light Weight Vehicle Sales (SAAR, Million Units) |
Jan | Dec | Nov | Jan Y/Y % | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total | 16.70 | 17.55 | 17.49 | -2.8 | 17.21 | 17.23 | 17.55 |
Autos | 5.46 | 5.35 | 5.37 | -4.8 | 5.48 | 6.33 | 7.10 |
Domestic | 4.01 | 3.99 | 3.95 | -2.6 | 3.99 | 4.58 | 5.20 |
Imported | 1.45 | 1.36 | 1.43 | -10.4 | 1.49 | 1.75 | 1.90 |
Light Trucks | 11.24 | 12.21 | 12.12 | -1.9 | 11.74 | 10.90 | 10.44 |
Domestic | 8.96 | 9.76 | 9.71 | -3.4 | 9.42 | 9.00 | 8.75 |
Imported | 2.28 | 2.44 | 2.41 | 4.7 | 2.32 | 1.90 | 1.69 |