U.S. Car Sales Rise 1%

Demand for cars and light trucks in the U.S. totaled 1.15 million units last month, compared with 1.14 million in January 2017, according to Autodata Corp.

The annualized sales rate for the month, reflecting a different number of selling days, dipped to 17.1 million units from 17.4 million last year.

Results were led by gains for Asian brands (+7% to 549,800 units) and European marques (+6% to 112,600) that barely offset a 6% decline to 492,500 vehicles for the traditional domestic producers.

Pickup trucks, SUVs and minivans continued to define the American market last month. Truck sales rose 8% to 773,400 vehicles, but car deliveries dropped 11% to 381,500 units.

General Motors posted a 1% gain to 198,400 units, thanks to a 13% increase in truck deliveries that balanced a 30% drop in car sales. Volumes fell at Ford (-6% to 160,400 vehicles) and Chrysler (-13% to 129,900).

Results for Asian brands in January were buoyed by increases for Toyota (+17% to 167,100 units) and Nissan (+10% to 123,500). Honda’s sales slipped 2% to 104,500 vehicles.

Demand for Hyundai’s cars and crossovers dropped 11% to 41,200 units last month. Deliveries by its Kia affiliate were flat at 35,600 vehicles.

January sales were mixed for Europe’s best-selling brands. Demand was flat for Mercedes-Benz at 27,500 units. Volume rose for Volkswagen (+2% to 24,700 units), BMW (+2% to 19,000) and Audi (+10% to 14,500).