U.S. Car Sales Grow 6%

Deliveries of cars and light trucks in the U.S. last month climbed to 1.65 million units compared with 1.56 million vehicles in March 2017.

The 6% increase translates to an annualized sales pace of 17.5 million vehicles, up from 16.8 million a year ago, according to Autodata Corp. It was the market’s strongest monthly increase since September.

Last month’s results were driven by an 11% jump in sales by traditional domestic brands. Volume grew 16% to 296,100 units for General Motors, 4% to 243,000 vehicles for Ford and 14% to 211,900 units for Chrysler.

Asian brands, which control 47% of the U.S. market, saw sales advance 2% to 745,600 units in March. The gainers were Toyota (+4% to 222,800 units), Honda (+4% to 142,400), Subaru (+6% to 58,100), Kia (+3% to 50,600), Mazda (36% to 33,300) and Mitsubishi (+22% to 14,300). Sales for the period fell for Nissan (-4% to 162,500 vehicles) and Hyundai (-11% to 61,500).

Demand for European brands rose 7% to 152,800 cars and crossover vehicles. The segment’s largest gainers are Volkswagen (+18% to 32,500 units), Audi (+7% to 20,100) and Land Rover (+38% to 11,000). Rivals BMW and Mercedes-Benz saw sales advance 1% to 31,300 units and slip 2% to 31,400 units, respectively.

Light trucks, which accounted for two-thirds of the U.S. passenger vehicle market in the first quarter, slipped by two-tenths of a point to 66.4% in March, according to Autodata.