U.S. Car Sales Hit 18.3 Million Annual Rate in October

Carmakers delivered 1.46 million passenger vehicles in the U.S. in October, up nearly 14% from the same month last year, according to Autodata Corp. The annualized selling rate climbed to 18.3 million units from 18.2 million in September.

Sales through the first 10 months of 2015 totaled 14.51 million, up 6% from the same period last year. Analysts say the market appears likely to easily surpass the previous peak of 17.4 million units sold in 2000.

Skyrocketing demand for trucks—especially those made by the market’s traditional domestics—fueled last month’s growth. Truck sales jumped 22% to 834,800 units compared with 4% to 620,700 units for cars.

Volumes by the traditional domestic producers zoomed 15% to 670,000 units in October. Deliveries climbed 18% to 263,000 for General Motors, 15% to 213,100 for Ford and 15% to 191,700 for Chrysler. All three posted double-digit increases in truck deliveries.

Sales by Japanese brands grew 14% to 646,300 units. Growth was led by Toyota (+13% to 204,000 units), Honda (+9% to 131,700) and Nissan (+13% to 116,000). Deliveries also surged for Hyundai (+20% to 60,000), Subaru (+20% to 51,600), Kia (+12% to 50,000) and Mazda (+35% to 25,500).

European brand volume advanced a relatively modest 7% to 139,200 units in October, causing the segment’s market share to shrink to 9.6% from 10.2%. Sales by segment leader Volkswagen were flat at 30,400 units. Mercedes-Benz (+3% to 31,800) outsold rival BMW (-4% to 29,400).