U.S. Car Sales Slip 5%

Demand for cars and light trucks in the U.S. dropped an estimated 5% in April. But the seasonally adjusted rate of 17.2 million units marks the eighth consecutive month of annualized rates above 17 million units.

General Motors Co., which has stopped reporting its monthly results publicly, sold about 237,900 vehicles in April, down 3%, Automotive News estimates. GM represented 17.5% of the U.S. market last month.

Based on April sales figures reported by other carmakers and compiled by AN, the overall U.S. market shrank 5% to 1.36 million units. Sales by Ford Motor Co. dropped 5% to 203,900 units. Volume rose by 5% for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles to 184,100 vehicles, thanks to gains by its Jeep and Dodge brands.

Among Asia-based manufacturers, sales last month increased for Subaru (+2% to 53,200). But demand dropped for everyone else. April deliveries fell for Toyota (-5% to 192,300 units), Honda (-9% to 125,700), Hyundai-Kia (-8% to 106,600), Nissan (-28% to 87,800), Mazda (-5% to 23,100) and Mitsubishi (-5% to 8,000).

April was a good month for Europe’s major brands in the U.S. Group sales rose for Volkswagen (+3% to 53,700 units), Mercedes-Benz (+2% to 30,100) and BMW (+4% to 27,300).