U.S. Car Sales Grow Less than 1%

Registrations of new cars and light trucks in the U.S. advanced a mere 8,500 units year on year to 1.55 million vehicles in March, according to Autodata Corp.

But the firm says the annualized sales rate climbed to 17.2 million from 16.5 million in March 2014. Volumes improved for foreign brands but declined for traditional domestic marques.

Domestic-brand sales slipped 2% to 678,700 vehicles last month. Chrysler sales improved 2% to 192,700 vehicles. But results fell for General Motors (-2% to 249,900) and Ford (-4% to 234,800).

Asian nameplates posted combined sales of 722,100 units, up 2% from March 2014. The segment's big gainers were Toyota (+5% to 226,000 units), Hyundai (+12% to 75,000) and Kia (+7% to 58,800). Demand declined for Nissan (-3% to 145,100), Honda (-5% to 126,300) and Mazda (-8% to 32,100).

Deliveries of European vehicles climbed 4% to 145,000 units. Volume rose 2% to 30,000 for segment leader Volkswagen. BMW outsold Mercedes-Benz by a mere 10 vehicles, according to Autodata. Audi sales increased 1% to 17,100 units.

March truck sales advanced 5% to 815,100, and car sales dropped 4% to 730,700.