Haver Analytics
Haver Analytics
Global| Oct 02 2020

U.S. Light Vehicle Sales Continue to Strengthen in September

Summary

• 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 [...]


• 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
  • 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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