UPDATE: U.S. Car Sales Flat in August

Year-on-year sales of cars and light trucks in the U.S. were unchanged at about 1.48 million units in August, according to Automotive News.

Last month’s total includes an estimated 239,500 vehicles from General Motors, which no longer reports monthly results. GM’s sales fell 13% in August, largely because the company reduced sales incentives on leftover 2018 models.

The market’s second-largest competitor, Toyota, saw sales slip 2% to 223,100 units in August.

Analysts say results were buoyed by increases in fleet sales by several carmakers. They describe the retail side of the market as continuing to soften. Nevertheless, August’s annualize sales rate of 17.1 million suggests full-year volume will again reach at least 17 million units.

Toyota—the market’s second-largest seller—reports that its overall group sales slipped 2% to 223,100 units. All other major sellers report hefty gains. August sales rose for Ford (+4% to 217,700 units), Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (+10% to 194,700), Honda (+1% to 147,900), Nissan (+4% to 112,400) and Hyundai-Kia (+4% to 111,400).

Results among Europe’s top sellers were mixed last month. Volkswagen’s group sales advanced 1% to 57,500 vehicles. But group sales fell for BMW (-2% to 27,700 units) and Mercedes-Benz (-17% to 24,200).

As usual, strong demand for SUV/crossovers and pickup trucks offset slumping deliveries of conventional sedans. J.D. Power says the former sector accounted for a record 68% of the U.S. passenger vehicle market in August.