Global| Aug 03 2015U.S. Light Vehicle Sales Rebound
by:Tom Moeller
|in:Economy in Brief
Summary
Total sales of light vehicles increased 3.3% during July to 17.55 million units (SAAR, 6.2% y/y), recovering most of June's decline from the cycle high. Light truck purchases improved 3.9% to 9.75 million units (14.0% y/y), the [...]
Total sales of light vehicles increased 3.3% during July to 17.55 million units (SAAR, 6.2% y/y), recovering most of June's decline from the cycle high.
Light truck purchases improved 3.9% to 9.75 million units (14.0% y/y), the highest level since July 2005. Trucks share of the total vehicle market improved to 55.5%. Domestic light truck sales increased 4.5% (12.8% y/y) to 8.39 million units. Imported truck sales improved 0.3% to 1.36 million units (21.7% y/y) following five straight months of material increase. Sales were at the highest level since March 2008 and accounted for 13.9% of total truck sales.
Auto sales gained 2.4% last month to 7.80 million units (-2.1 y/y) after June's 5.1% decline. Domestic auto sales increased 5.3% to 5.81 million (0.7% y/y) and recovered virtually all the June decline. Imported car sales eased 5.2% to 2.00 million (-9.6% y/y), adding to a 3.4% June decline.
Imports share of the market for light vehicles eased to 19.1%, still down versus a high of 30.7% in February 2009. Imports share of the passenger car market declined 25.6%. Imports share of the light truck market edged down to 13.9%.
U.S. vehicle sales figures are published by Autodata and can be found in Haver's USECON database.
| Light Vehicle Sales (SAAR, Mil. Units) | Jul | Jun | May | Y/Y % | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 17.55 | 17.00 | 17.70 | 6.2 | 16.49 | 15.58 | 14.48 |
| Autos | 7.80 | 7.62 | 8.03 | -2.1 | 7.89 | 7.78 | 7.42 |
| Domestic | 5.81 | 5.51 | 5.85 | 0.7 | 5.65 | 5.48 | 5.10 |
| Imported | 2.00 | 2.10 | 2.18 | -9.6 | 2.24 | 2.30 | 2.32 |
| Light Trucks | 9.75 | 9.38 | 9.67 | 14.0 | 8.60 | 7.81 | 7.06 |
| Domestic | 8.39 | 8.03 | 8.36 | 12.8 | 7.51 | 6.73 | 6.09 |
| Imported | 1.36 | 1.35 | 1.32 | 21.7 | 1.09 | 1.08 | 0.97 |
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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