U.S. Car Market Stalls as European Brands Slip

Sales of passenger vehicles in the U.S. totaled 1.19 million units in February, equal to a year earlier. The annualized sales rate also was unchanged at 15.34 million, according to Autodata Corp.

Carmakers reporting lower volume blamed storms and relentlessly cold weather for keeping buyers away from showrooms.

Traditional American brands sold a total 558,500 units in February compared with 556,900 a year earlier. Sales were down at General Motors and Ford and up for Fiat's Chrysler unit.

Demand for European marques fell 3% in February to 104,900 units as healthy demand for luxury brands failed to offset another year-on-year slump for Volkswagen (-14% to 27,100 units).

February sales by Mercedes-Benz and BMW each advanced 3% to 24,000 units and 22,000 units, respectively. Other gainers include Porsche (+15% to 3,200), Land Rover (+3% to 4,000) and Jaguar (+35% to 1,600). Maserati more than quadrupled sales to 800 units. Audi sales were flat at 10,900. Volvo's volume plunged 18% to 4,000.

Asian brands increased sales by only 1,800 units to 530,500 vehicles. Sales rose for Nissan and Subaru but fell for all other major competitors.