Trucks Drive 5% Gain in U.S. Vehicle Sales

Sales of cars and light-duty trucks in the U.S. climbed to 1.30 million units in November from 1.25 million a year earlier, according to Autodata Corp.

Demand rose to an annualized pace of 17.2 million units compared with 16.5 million last month and 16.3 million in November 2013.

Results were driven entirely by soaring demand for trucks, SUVs and crossover vehicles. Autodata reports car sales were flat at 597,600 units, but truck sales jumped 9% to 704,500 vehicles.

Domestic brands led the market, boosting sales 7% to 581,500 units. Chrysler contributed the biggest gain with a 21% jump to 167,700 units. It posted big advances for cars (+26%) and trucks (+18%).

At General Motors, volume rose 7% to 225,800 units as a 12% increase in truck sales easily offset a 3% drop in car volume. Ford was unable to do the same. Its volume dipped 2% to 186,300 units on flat truck sales and a 6% decline in car volume.

Domestic nameplates gained 1.1 points of market share in November, almost entirely at the expense of Asian brands. European marques lost 0.2 points of share.

Asian makes grew volume 3% to 580,000 units, but results by brand were mixed. Gainers included Toyota (+3% to 183,300 units), Honda (+5% to 121,800), Subaru (+24% to 45,300) and Mazda (+2% to 21,200). Sales fell at Nissan (-3% to 103,200), Hyundai (-4% to 53,700) and Kia (-1% to 44,900).

Sales of European brands climbed 3% to 140,500 units. Volkswagen reported its second consecutive monthly gain after 18 months of year-on-year declines, advancing 3% to 31,700 vehicles in November. Mercedes-Benz (+3% to 37,100) continued to outsell BMW (+3% to 31,000) after overtaking its rival in July.