U.S. Unit Sales Dip, But Pace Gains

Sales of cars and light trucks in the U.S. slipped 3% in March, but the annualized pace accelerated.

Volume slid last month to 1.61 million vehicles from 1.66 million a year earlier, Automotive News reports. But the newspaper calculates that the sales pace climbed to 17.4 million units per year from 16.1 million in February and 17.3 million in March 2018.

Detroit’s Big Three producers saw March totals fall 6% to a combined 702,500 units. General Motors led the decline (-8% to 271,800 units), followed by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (-7% to 200,300) and Ford (-6% to 230,400).

Demand for Asian brands dipped 1% to 721,200 units in last month. Deliveries dropped for Toyota (-5% to 185,700 vehicles), Nissan (-5% to 137,400) and Mazda (-19% to 26,900).

That was enough to offset gains for Honda (+4% to 134,100 units), Subaru (+6% to 61,600), Hyundai (+2% to 61,200), Kia (+10% to 55,800) and Mitsubishi (+37% to 19,600).

European carmakers were the market’s bright spot, posting a 2% gain to 148,700 vehicles in March. Among the market’s top selling brands, demand rose for Volkswagen (+37,100 units), BMW (+3% to 32,200 units) and Audi (+1% to 20,300). Sales declined 3% to 30,600 units for Mercedes-Benz.