U.S. Car Sales Grew 5% in June

Sales of passenger vehicles in the U.S. rose 5% to 1.55 million units in June, according to Automotive News.

On an annualized basis, June sales jumped to 17.5 million units from 16.9 million in May and 16.7 million in June 2017. Volume was aided by one more sales day compared with June 2017.

Sales through the first half of 2018 advanced 2% to 8.62 million vehicles. But analysts predict a slowdown in the second half of the year that will drop full-year sales below last year’s 17.23 million-unit total.

The three traditional domestic carmakers all posted gains last month. Sales rose 6% to an estimated 257,000 units at General Motors, 1% to 229,500 units at Ford and 8% to 202,300 units for Fiat Chrysler Automobile’s U.S. unit. GM no longer reports monthly results.

All Asian brands reported year-on-year growth in June. Results were led by Toyota (+4% to 185,900 units), Honda (+5% to 146,600), Hyundai-Kia (+9% to 120,600), Subaru (+15% to 59,800), Mazda (+20% to 26,900) and Mitsubishi (+46% to 11,100). Nissan advanced 1% to 145,100 units.

AN notes that June results were mixed for Europe’s top three brands. Volumes improved for BMW (+2% to 29,400 units) and Volkswagen (+4% to 28,900). Audi sales were flat at 19,500 units. Mercedes-Benz sales fell 10% to 29,000 cars and SUVs.