Global| Apr 03 2019U.S. Light Vehicle Sales Recover
by:Tom Moeller
|in:Economy in Brief
Summary
The Autodata Corporation reported that sales of light vehicles increased 5.3% (1.0% y/y) during March to 17.45 million units (SAAR). The increase recouped declines during the prior two months. Auto sales improved 3.4% (-6.7% y/y) to a [...]
The Autodata Corporation reported that sales of light vehicles increased 5.3% (1.0% y/y) during March to 17.45 million units (SAAR). The increase recouped declines during the prior two months.
Auto sales improved 3.4% (-6.7% y/y) to a 5.19 million unit pace. Purchases of domestically-produced cars strengthened 4.1% (-6.2% y/y) to 3.80 million units. Sales of imported cars improved 1.5% (-7.9% y/y) to 1.39 million.
Light-truck sales strengthened 6.1% (4.6% y/y) last month to a 12.26 million unit rate and added to February's 2.8% gain. Purchases of domestically-made light trucks gained 7.4% to 9.83 million units (3.3% y/y). Sales of imported light trucks improved 1.7% (10.5% y/y) to a 2.43 million sales rate.
Trucks' share of the U.S. vehicle market increased to a record high of 70.3%. (The Autodata series dates back to 1990.)
Imports' share of the U.S. vehicle market declined last month to 21.9%, a three-month low. Imports' share of the passenger car market slipped to 26.8% and their share of the light truck market declined to 19.8%, the lowest percentage since August.
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) | Mar | Feb | Jan | Mar Y/Y % | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 17.45 | 16.57 | 16.70 | 1.0 | 17.21 | 17.23 | 17.55 |
| Autos | 5.19 | 5.02 | 5.46 | -6.7 | 5.48 | 6.33 | 7.10 |
| Domestic | 3.80 | 3.65 | 4.01 | -6.2 | 3.99 | 4.58 | 5.20 |
| Imported | 1.39 | 1.37 | 4.6 | -7.9 | 1.49 | 1.75 | 1.90 |
| Light Trucks | 12.26 | 11.55 | 11.24 | 4.6 | 11.74 | 10.90 | 10.44 |
| Domestic | 9.83 | 9.15 | 8.96 | 3.3 | 9.42 | 9.00 | 8.75 |
| Imported | 2.43 | 2.39 | 2.28 | 10.5 | 2.32 | 1.90 | 1.69 |
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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