U.S. Car Sales Set Record High in 2015

Passenger vehicle sales in the U.S. zoomed to an all-time record 17.5 million in 2015, surpassing the previous high of 17.4 million set in 2000, Autodata Corp. reports.

December sales climbed 9% to 1.64 million units. The continuing surge in demand for light trucks (+19% to 987,000 units) offset a 3% decline in car sales to 656,300 units. Full-year volumes slipped 2% to 7.74 million for cars and climbed 13% to 9.73 million for trucks.

Last month’s results were buoyed by strong gains for brands from the U.S. (+9% to 744,800 units) and Asia (+12% to 739,700). European marques fell 2% to 158,700 vehicles.

General Motors posted a 6% increase to 290,200 vehicles in December. Ford sales rose 8% to 237,600 cars and light trucks. Demand for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ products jumped 13% to 217,500 units.

Sales among Asian brands were led by Toyota (+11% to 238,400 units), Honda (+10% to 150,900), Nissan (+19% to 139,300), Subaru (+13% to 56,300), Kia (+19% to 54,200) and Mazda (+18% to 29,300). Hyundai sales dropped 2% to 63,500 vehicles.

December results were mixed for European brands. The segment’s best-selling nameplate, Mercedes-Benz, hiked sales 3% to 38,200 units. Rival BMW saw demand plunge 17% to 34,600 vehicles. Audi gained 6% to 20,400 units, but Volkswagen’s volume shrank 9% to 31,000 units. Volvo and Land Rover soared 90% to 9,300 units and 47% to 8,400, respectively.

For the full year, Mercedes outsold BMW 373,000 units to 346,000 units. VW brand volume fell 5% to 349,400 units.