Global| May 03 2021U.S. Light Vehicle Sales Continue to Strengthen in April
by:Tom Moeller
|in:Economy in Brief
Summary
• 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 [...]
• 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.
| Light Weight Vehicle Sales (SAAR, Million Units) | Apr | Mar | Feb | Apr Y/Y % | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 18.54 | 18.08 | 16.06 | 112.1 | 14.55 | 17.06 | 17.32 |
| Autos | 4.21 | 4.03 | 3.60 | 107.4 | 3.54 | 4.82 | 5.40 |
| Domestic | 2.75 | 2.67 | 2.36 | 87.1 | 2.53 | 3.53 | 4.05 |
| Imported | 1.46 | 1.36 | 1.24 | 160.7 | 1.01 | 1.29 | 1.36 |
| Light Trucks | 14.33 | 14.06 | 12.45 | 113.6 | 11.01 | 12.24 | 11.92 |
| Domestic | 10.97 | 10.97 | 9.78 | 106.2 | 8.62 | 9.70 | 9.44 |
| Imported | 3.36 | 3.09 | 2.67 | 141.7 | 2.39 | 2.54 | 2.48 |
Tom Moeller
AuthorMore in Author Profile »Prior to joining Haver Analytics in 2000, Mr. Moeller worked as the Economist at Chancellor Capital Management from 1985 to 1999. There, he developed comprehensive economic forecasts and interpreted economic data for equity and fixed income portfolio managers. Also at Chancellor, Mr. Moeller worked as an equity analyst and was responsible for researching and rating companies in the economically sensitive automobile and housing industries for investment in Chancellor’s equity portfolio. Prior to joining Chancellor, Mr. Moeller was an Economist at Citibank from 1979 to 1984. He also analyzed pricing behavior in the metals industry for the Council on Wage and Price Stability in Washington, D.C. In 1999, Mr. Moeller received the award for most accurate forecast from the Forecasters' Club of New York. From 1990 to 1992 he was President of the New York Association for Business Economists. Mr. Moeller earned an M.B.A. in Finance from Fordham University, where he graduated in 1987. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from George Washington University.
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