U.S. Car Sales Slipped 2% in August

U.S. deliveries of cars and light trucks fell 2% to 1.48 million units in August, Autodata Corp. reports.

The annualized sales pace for the month dropped to 16.1 million from 17.2 million in August 2016. Analysts say disruptions caused by Hurricane Harvey over the past week dented sales, which many forecasters expected to surpass last year’s total.

Sales by traditional brands slipped 1% to 660,400 units. Volume for General Motors rose 7% to 275,300 units. But sales fell 2% to 209,000 for Ford. Deliveries plunged 13% to 172,800 units for Chrysler, marking the unit’s 12th consecutive month of year-on-year shrinkage.

Three Japanese brands posted stronger sales last month. Segment leader Toyota saw sales climb 7% to 227,600 units. Results were boosted by a 30% surge in demand for its RA4 small crossover vehicle, now the brand’s best-selling model. Sales also rose for Subaru (+5% to 63,200 units) and Mitsubishi (+11% to 8,200).

August sales by Asian marques were dragged down by sharp losses for Nissan (-13% to 108,300 units) and Hyundai (-25% to 54,300). Sales also slipped for Honda (-2% to 146,000 units), Kia (-2% to 53,300) and Mazda (-1% to 25,800).

Deliveries of European brands dipped 1% to 136,100 units. Sales were up for Volkswagen (+9% to 32,000 units) and Audi (+3% to 19,800). But demand weakened for Mercedes-Benz (-8% to 29,000 vehicles) and BMW (-8% to 23,600).

U.S. car sales through the first eight months of 2017 totaled 11.35 million units, down 3% from the record high in the same period last year. Car and truck sales for the year to date are down 11% and up 3%, respectively, according to Autodata.