New-Car Sales Advance 1% in U.S.

November sales of cars and light trucks in the U.S. totaled 1.39 million units compared with 1.38 million in the same month last year. But volume on an annualized basis fell to 17.5 million vehicles from 17.1 million, according to Autodata Corp.

The market continued its insatiable appetite for SUVs, pickup trucks and crossover vehicles. Car sales dropped 10% to 487,300 units last month. But light-truck deliveries rose 5% to 905,700 units.

European brands were the market’s bright spot in November, climbing 4% to 143,100 units. Segment leader Volkswagen saw deliveries slip 2% to 29,200 vehicles. But sales advanced for Mercedes-Benz (+4% to 34,100 units), BMW (+7% to 28,000) Audi (+12% to 19,200) and Volvo (+2% to 7,900).

Overall volume for the U.S. market’s traditional domestics dipped by 1,100 units to 610,700. Declines for General Motors (-3% to 245,200 vehicles) and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (-4% to 151,700) were nearly offset by a fleet-driven uptick for Ford (+7% to 210,200).

Asian brands posted a 1% sales increase to 639,200 units in November. But results were mixed. Deliveries improved for Honda (+8% to 133,200 units), Nissan (+14% to 131,100), Subaru (+1% to 51,700) and Mitsubishi (+25% to 8,600).

But November volume declined for Toyota (-3% to 191,600 vehicles), Hyundai (-9% to 57,200), Kia (-16% to 44,300) and Mazda (-3% to 21,500).