Recent Updates
- Global Supply Chain Pressure Index (Mar, Apr)
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Economy in Brief
U.S. Mortgage Applications Continued to Slide Amid Higher Rates
The biggest declines have been in refinancing activity, while applications for purchase are just starting to crack...
UK Inflation Jumps
Inflation is at the highest rate since the series began in January of 1989...
U.S. Industrial Production Much Stronger than Expected in April
The increase in manufacturing output in April was once again led by motor vehicle and parts production...
U.S. Retail Sales Posted Solid Rise in April
Notwithstanding falling real incomes and declining confidence measures, consumer spending posted a solid increase...
U.S. Home Builder Index Took a Steep Drop in May
This is the fifth straight month that builder sentiment has declined...
Viewpoints
Commentaries are the opinions of the author and do not reflect the views of Haver Analytics.
The Many Links of Inflation Cycle: Hard Landing Is Needed to Crack Them
Peak Inflation & Fed Policy: A Relationship Which Should Worry The Fed And Scare Investors
Why Have the Yields on TIPS Been Negative in the Past Two Years?
"Core" GDP Suggests Economy Gained Momentum in Q1:2022
by Tom Moeller October 2, 2020
• Monthly increases spread across product lines.
The Autodata Corporation reported that sales of light vehicles rose 7.5% during September (-4.7% y/y) to 16.36 million units (SAAR) from 15.22 million in August. September sales were the highest in six months, up 87.2% from the April low of 8.74 million units.
Auto sales increased 7.2% (-16.9% y/y) last month to 3.88 million units, still well below their peak level of 7.71 million unit sales reached in 2014. Purchases of domestically-produced cars rose 5.3% (-18.3% y/y) to 2.77 million units following a 4.0% August rise jump. Sales of imported cars surged 12.1% m/m (-13.3% y/y) to 1.11 million units.
Sales of light trucks improved 7.9% (-0.1% y/y) during September to 12.48 million units, the highest level since February. Purchases of domestically-made light trucks rose 7.4% (-1.1% y/y) to 9.87 million units after three months of strong gain. Sales of imported light trucks improved 8.3% (4.0% y/y) to 2.61 million units after falling 1.6% in August.
Trucks' share of the U.S. light vehicle market was little-changed at 76.3%.
Imports' share of the U.S. vehicle market held steady last month at 22.7%. Imports' share of the passenger car market strengthened to 28.6% from 27.3%. Imports share of the light truck market similarly improved slightly to 20.9%.
U.S. vehicle sales figures can be found in Haver's USECON database. Additional detail by manufacturer is in the INDUSTRY database.
Light Weight Vehicle Sales (SAAR, Million Units) | Sep | Aug | Jul | Sep Y/Y % | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total | 16.36 | 15.22 | 14.60 | -4.7 | 17.06 | 17.32 | 17.23 |
Autos | 3.88 | 3.62 | 3.51 | -16.9 | 4.82 | 5.40 | 6.17 |
Domestic | 2.77 | 2.63 | 2.53 | -18.3 | 3.53 | 4.05 | 4.58 |
Imported | 1.11 | 0.99 | 0.98 | -13.3 | 1.29 | 1.36 | 1.59 |
Light Trucks | 12.48 | 11.57 | 11.09 | -0.1 | 12.24 | 11.92 | 11.07 |
Domestic | 9.87 | 9.19 | 8.64 | -1.1 | 9.70 | 9.44 | 9.00 |
Imported | 2.61 | 2.41 | 2.45 | 4.0 | 2.54 | 2.48 | 2.07 |