Published

UPDATE: U.S. Car Sales Dip 1%

Deliveries of passenger cars and light-duty trucks in the U.S. slipped to 1.35 million units last month compared with 1.37 million in October 2016, Autodata Corp. reports.

Share

Deliveries of passenger cars and light-duty trucks in the U.S. slipped to 1.35 million units last month compared with 1.37 million in October 2016, Autodata Corp. reports.

On an adjusted annualized basis, the October sales rate climbed to an impressive 18.1 million from 17.9 million a year ago. A 9% drop in demand for cars was nearly offset by a 4% gain in trucks, which accounted for nearly 63% of the market.

Sales declined 3% for traditional domestic brands last month. Autodata says a 6% gain to 199,700 units by Ford was countered by shrinkage at General Motors (-2% to 252,600 units) and Fiat Chrysler (-14% to 150,400).

Deliveries of Asian brands slipped half a point last month. The gainers were Toyota (+1% to 188,400 vehicles), Honda (+1% to 127,400), Nissan (+8% to 123,000) and Subaru (+1% to 54,000). Sales declined for Hyundai (-15% to 53,000 vehicles) and its Kia (-9% to 44,400) along with Mazda (-8% to 20,800) and Mitsubishi (-3% to 7,400).

Growth for European brands last month was led by Volkswagen (+12% to 27,700 units) and its Audi unit (+10% to 19,400). Demand for Mercedes-Benz vehicles was unchanged at 31,400 units. Deliveries of BMW cars and crossovers fell 3% to 23,200 units. A  glitch delayed the company’s final data until Thursday.

Gardner Business Media - Strategic Business Solutions