U.S. Car Annualized Sales Rate Surges Above 18 Million

Carmakers delivered 1.32 million vehicles in the U.S. last month, up only 1% from November 2014. But the seasonally adjusted rate climbed to 18.2 million from 17.1 million, according to Autodata Corp.

Trucks again carried the day. Demand for passenger car sales shrank 9% to 546,800 units. But demand for light trucks climbed 10% to 773,200 to grab nearly 59% of the American market.

Traditional domestic carmakers improved 2% to 592,100 units last month. Results were led by General Motors (+2% to 229,300 units) and Chrysler (+3% to 172,900). Ford was virtually flat at 186,900 vehicles.

Asian brands gained 2% to 593,200 units in November. Honda dropped 5% to 115,400 vehicles. But sales improved for Toyota (+3% to 189,500 vehicles), Nissan (+4% to 107,100), Hyundai (+12% to 60,000), Subaru (+2% to 46,100), Kia (+1% to 45,600) and Mazda (+7% to 22,700).

European brands slid 4% to 134,700 units because of a 25% decline to 23,900 units for traditional segment leader Volkswagen. VW’s results were hurt by the company’s diesel scandal and a subsequent shortage of diesel-powered vehicles.

BMW sales advanced 3% to 32,000 units, making it Europe’s best-selling brand in November. Deliveries by Mercedes-Benz, which failed to report November results on Tuesday, shrank by an estimated 10% to 33,300, according to Autodata. Audi’s sales were flat at 16,700 units.