US Car Sales Statistics: Figures, Trends, and Historical Data

The automotive sector is considered the largest manufacturing industry in the United States, and is therefore an essential component of the country's entire economy. It employs more than two million people and invests billions of dollars into research and development each year.

Since the advent of the first automobile in 1925, cars have not only changed the way we commute but also the way we consume. Automobile sales make up a large chunk of the country’s total consumer spending and are considered a key indicator of annual economic growth.

Important US Car Sales Statistics for 2026: Editor’s Choice

• The auto industry accounts for approximately 3% of the total gross domestic product of the United States.
• FFord’s signature F-Series light truck remained the all-time best-selling car model in the US through 2025.
• Approximately 16.2 million cars were sold in the US in 2025.
• The average price for a new car reached $49,814 by late 2025.
• EV sales declined by 2% in the US in 2025 following the expiration of federal tax credits.

Experts say that American auto sales are expected to drop in the near future. These predictions have nothing to do with consumers earning less income or being forced to reduce their spending. They are, in fact, due to vehicles lasting longer.

The latest numbers show that many new vehicles have proven to be more durable than older models and therefore don't need to be replaced as often.

There were 16.2 million new car sales in the US in 2025.

(MarkLines)

This represented an annual growth of 2.2% compared to the year before.

Ford F-Series was the most sold car in the US in 2025.

(Motor1)

Once again, the F-Series cars dominated in sales, with 801,525 units sold in the US last year, marking a 9% increase over 2024 totals.

Toyota RAV4 was the best-selling SUV in America in 2025.

(Kelley Blue Book)

The model was also the third best-selling car last year, shipping 479,288 units despite transitioning to a new generation.

Electric vehicle sales in the US were down 2% in 2025.

(Cox Automotive)

The market share for EVs dipped to 7.8% as the industry navigated the loss of federal incentives in the final quarter.

Tesla's EV market share rose to 53.7% in early 2026.

(CarEdge)

While the market share dropped to 46% across the full year of 2025, the brand saw a significant rebound in January 2026 as competitors' sales fell more sharply.

The average price of a new car in 2025 peaked at over $50,000.

(AP News)

In September 2025, the average transaction price hit $50,080 for the first time in history, though it stabilized near $49,814 by year-end.

21% of cars in 2026 are projected to be bought through leases in the US.

(Experian)

This represents a 3% decrease compared to 2025, as higher interest rates and shifting EV incentives impact lease penetration.

Car sales in the US are expected to decrease by 2.4% in 2026.

(Cox Automotive)

The latest forecast projects that some 15.8 million cars will be sold this year, down from the 16.2 million sold in 2025.

Used car prices in the US rose by by an average of $860 in 2025.

(Iovox)

As of March 2026, average used-vehicle retail prices reached $30,166.

3 out of 4 buyers in 2025 remained highly satisfied with the car purchase process.

(Cox Automotive)

The technological advancements and industry improvements in the online and in-dealership sales processes drove increased customer satisfaction.

New car inventory reached 3.01 million units by the start of 2026.

(Inc)

The industry entered 2026 with a 76-day supply of vehicles, which is considered a healthy and "normalized" level for the current market.

The inventory of cars costing $40,000 to $50,000 showed the highest supply in 2025.

(Cars.com)

This segment showed nearly 100 days’ supply, signaling significant price resistance among mainstream buyers heading into 2026.

The average interest rate for new-vehicle loans in March 2026 was 6.55%.

(Edmunds)

While still high, car loan rates have decreased by 0.36% on average compared to March 2025, providing some relief to financed buyers.

New electric vehicle registrations in the US plummeted 41% in January 2026.

(S&P Global Mobility)

This sharp decline compared to January 2025 is largely attributed to the expiration of federal tax credits, signaling a cooling period for the EV sector.

Electrified vehicles reached a record 25.7% of all new vehicle sales in late 2025.

(Cox Automotive)

By the fourth quarter of 2025, the combined market share of HEVs, PHEVs, and EVs hit an all-time high, driven primarily by surging demand for traditional hybrids.

The average monthly payment for a new vehicle reached $805 in March 2026.

(JD Power)

Financing a new car has become increasingly expensive, representing a year-over-year increase of $38 as of the first quarter of 2026.

30.5% of car trade-ins carried negative equity as of March 2026.

(Edmunds)

This represents an increase of 4.2 percentage points from 2025, highlighting a growing debt burden for American car owners who owe more than their vehicles are worth.

New car inventory reached an average 76-day supply at the start of 2026.

(Cox Automotive)

Market balance varies wildly by brand; while the industry average is stable, Volkswagen entered 2026 with a 143-day supply, while Toyota remained inventory-constrained at just 33 days.