• Car & light truck sales have risen sharply so far this year.

• Imports' share of market moves higher.

U.S. sales of light vehicles increased last month as COVID-19 vaccines became more readily available. The Autodata Corporation reported that light vehicle sales during April rose 2.5% to 18.54 million units (SAAR) and more than doubled y/y. So far this year sales have risen 13.0%.

Auto sales increased 4.5% (107.4% y/y) last month to 4.21 million units, the highest level since February of last year. Purchases of domestically-produced cars rose 3.0% (87.1% y/y) to 2.75 million units. Sales of imported autos jumped 7.4% (160.7% y/y) to 1.46 million, the highest level since February 2018.

Sales of light trucks rose 1.9% ( 113.6% y/y) during April to a record 14.33 million units. Purchases of domestically-made light trucks held steady (106.2% y/y) at 10.97 million units. Sales of imported light trucks increased 8.7% (141.7% y/y) to a record 3.36 million units.

Trucks' share of the light vehicle market eased to 77.3% but remained near the record.

Imports' share of the U.S. vehicle market increased last month to 26.1% from 22.4% twelve months earlier. Imports' share of the passenger car market rose to 34.7% in April. Imports' share of the light truck market strengthened to 23.4%.

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