The motor vehicle weakened significantly last month. The Autodata Corporation reported that sales of light vehicles during April declined 6.1% (-4.3% y/y) to 16.39 million units (SAAR). It reversed a 5.3% March increase and left sales at the lowest level since October 2014.

Auto sales fell 4.8% (-9.7% y/y) to a 4.94 million unit pace following a 3.4% increase. It continued the downward trend in place since 2014. Purchases of domestically-produced cars were off 7.1% (-10.8% y/y) to 3.53 million units after rising 4.1% in March. Sales of imported cars improved 1.4% (-6.7% y/y) for a second month to 1.41 million units.

Light-truck sales weakened 6.5% (-1.8% y/y) last month to an 11.46 million unit rate and reversed the 6.1% March gain. They remained, however, in the upward trend in place since the recession's end. Purchases of domestically-made light trucks fell 7.4% to 9.10 million units (-2.0% y/y). The decline fully reversed the prior month's increase. Sales of imported light trucks eased 2.9% (-0.7% y/y) to a 2.36 million sales rate after a 1.7% rise and continued to gain share of the truck market.

Trucks' share of the U.S. vehicle market was little changed near the record high at 69.9%. The share rose from 68.3% last year and a low of 47.3% in 2009.

Imports share of the U.S. vehicle market rose last month to 23.0% and has been trending upward since 2015. Imports' share of the passenger car market increased to 28.5%, an 11-month high. Imports share of the light truck market improved to 20.6%, up from a low of 13.8% in 2012.

U.S. vehicle sales figures can be found in Haver's USECON database. Additional detail by manufacturer is in the INDUSTRY database.