U.S. Car Sales Growth Slows

Car and light-truck sales in the U.S. reached 1.42 million last month compared with 1.40 million unit in June 2013, according to Autodata Corp. Volume was down from 1.61 million vehicles in May.

But the market's annualized sales pace last month reached 17 million units for the first time in eight years. Last month's rate compares with 16.8 million in May and 15.9 million in June 2014.

Year-on-year demand for traditional domestic brands in June rose only 3,100 units to 657,000. Increases at General Motors (+1% to 267,500) and Chrysler (+9% to 166,600) offset Ford's decline (-6% to 221,400).

Sales of Asian brands rose 2% to 632,000 vehicles. Honda sales dropped 6% to 129,000 units. But volume rose at Toyota (+3% to 201,700), Nissan (+5% to 109,600), Hyundai (+4% to 67,400), Mazda (+17% to 26,200) and Subaru (+5% to 41,400). Kia sales were unchanged at 50,600 units.

European brand sales were flat at 132,000 vehicles last month. Volkswagen sales in June plunged 22% to 28,800 units, their 16th consecutive month of year-on-year shrinkage. BMW and Mercedes-Benz rose 12% to 30,200 units and 9% to 28,700 units, respectively. Audi surged 23% to 16,900 vehicles.

Autodata says U.S. car sales dropped 1% and light-truck sales rose 1%. Cars, which accounted for 50.5% of the market in June 2013, slipped to a 49.4% share last month.