U.S. Car Sales Slip Again

Sales of new cars and light trucks in the U.S. fell 3% to an estimated 1.27 million units in January.

On an annualized basis, U.S. sales slipped to 16.6 million vehicles from 16.9 million in January and 17.1 million in February 2018.

Results were hurt by bad weather, worries about the size of consumer tax refunds and a downturn in demand for SUV/crossovers and pickup trucks, Automotive News reports.

Deliveries in February by Ford and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles fell 4% to 177,100 units and 2% to 162,000 vehicles, respectively. FCA’s decline ended an 11-month expansion. AN estimates that sales by General Motors, which no longer reports monthly results, drop 5% to 209,200 cars and trucks.

Most Asian brands posted sales downturns last month. Volumes fell for Toyota (-6% to 152,600 units), Nissan (-11% to 103,700), Honda (-2% to 102,900) and Mazda (-7% to 23,900). But deliveries rose for Subaru (+4% to a record 49,100 units), Hyundai (+2% to 45,600) and Kia (+7% to 43,400).

February deliveries were mixed for Europe’s three top-selling brands. Sales fell for Mercedes-Benz (-12% to 24,400) and Volkswagen (-4% to 25,700) and Audi (-12% to 13,600). BMW’s sales were flat at 23,600 vehicles, as a 22% jump in demand for SUVs offset a 12% drop for sedans.