U.S. Car Sales Slipped 1% in February

Passenger-vehicle sales in the U.S. dipped to 1.33 million units last month from 1.35 million cars and light-duty trucks in February 2015, according to Autodata Corp.

On a seasonally adjusted annualized rate, February sales were at 17.6 million compared with 17.7 million for the same month last year.

Demand for traditional domestic brands in February dropped 3% to 614,100 vehicles. A 4% gain to 237,200 units for General Motors was offset by shrinking sales at Ford (-4% to 207,500 units) and Chrysler (-10% to 165,700).  All three companies posted more than 20% declines in car sales.

Asian brands posted a 1% decline last month, dragged down by shrinkage at Toyota (-7% to 174,300 vehicles) and Kia (-14% to 42,700).

Deliveries rose for Nissan (+10% to 135,700 units), Honda (+2% to a record 121,700), Subaru (+3% to a record 45,500), Mazda (+6% to 22,800) and Mitsubishi (+39% to 10,900). Hyundai set a record for January by increasing sales a mere 11 units to 53,000 vehicles.

Autodata says European marques boosted sales 7% to 112,800 units in February. Results were driven by Mercedes-Benz (+7% to a record 27,000 units) and Volkswagen (+13% to 25,100 units). BMW brand sales were virtually flat at 22,600 cars and crossovers.

Trucks continued to gain market share, as demand climbed 7% to 831,300 units. Car sales plunged 12% to 502,300 vehicles.