U.S. Car Sales Set November Record

Deliveries of cars and light trucks in the U.S. climbed 4% to a record 1.38 million units in November, reversing three consecutive months of year-on-year decline.

Results were aided by two extra selling days this year. Spending on retail sales incentives, up 13% compared with November 2015, also contributed.

Last month’s sales pace was an annualized 17.9 million units compared with 18 million in October and 18.3 million in November 2015, according to Autodata Corp. Unit sales through the first 11 months of the year were up by 20,100 units, reviving hope that full-year results will top last year’s record 17.47 million total.

Pickup trucks, SUVs and crossovers continue to define the U.S. passenger vehicle market. November truck deliveries climbed 9% to 849,500 units for a record 58.8% share. Car sales slid 3% to 531,100 units.

Asian carmakers led the sales rebound with deliveries of 631,000 units, up 6% from November 2015. Demand for traditional domestic nameplates advanced 1% to 611,800 vehicles. Sales by European manufacturers gained 3% to 137,800 units.

November results improved for General Motors (+10% to 252,600 units) and Ford (+5% to 196,400). Chrysler’s sales dropped 14% to 158,400 units, as car sales plummeted 37% and truck sales fell 9%.

Among Asian manufacturers, deliveries rose at Toyota (+4% to 197,600 units), Honda (+7% to 122,900), Nissan (+8% to 115,100), Hyundai (+4% to 62,500), Kia (+15% to 52,500) and Subaru (+11% to 51,300). Mazda’s sales slipped 3% to 22,000 units.

November results were mixed for Europe’s top four brands. Volkswagen sales surged 24% to 29,700 units, and Audi posted a 3% gain to 17,100 cars and crossovers. But BMW dropped 18% to 26,200 units. Mercedes-Benz volume was virtually flat at 32,900 units.