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. US car sale numbers show that automobile sales make up a large chunk of the country’s total consumer spending and are considered a key indicator of annual economic growth.
US Car Sales Statistics for 2024: Editor’s Choice
- The auto industry accounts for approximately 3% of the total gross domestic product of the United States.
- Ford’s signature F-Series light truck is the all-time best-selling car model in the US.
- Since 2015, Toyota has been the top-selling non-domestic automaker in the US.
- There will be 287.3 million cars registered in the country by the end of 2020.
- A total of 843,296 pickup trucks and SUVs were sold in the first month of 2020 in the US.
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.
A total of 1,144,279 new cars were sold in January 2020.
(MarkLines Data Center)
New car sales went up by 1.0% compared to January 2019.
(MarkLines Data Center)
There were 300,983 new passenger car sales in January 2020 in the United States.
(MarkLines Data Center)
A total of 843,296 pickup trucks and SUVs were sold in the first month of 2020.
(MarkLines Data Center)
Passenger car retail sales have decreased by 14.8%.
(MarkLines Data Center)
Light truck sales went up by 8.1% compared to the same month of the previous year.
Light trucks were the best-selling car type of January 2020 in the United States.
(MarkLines Data Center)
The Ford F-Series was the most sought-after car model, followed by the Chevrolet Silverado and the Ram P/U.
Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Chevrolet Equinox, and Nissan Rogue were the top-selling SUVs during that same period.
(MarkLines Data Center)
Thanks to persistently low gasoline and diesel fuel prices, drivers continued opting for light trucks and SUVs instead of smaller and more fuel-efficient passenger cars in January 2020.
(Statista)
According to US auto sales data, the Toyota Camry was the most popular passenger car in January 2020.
(MarkLines Data Center)
It was followed by the Toyota Corolla and the Honda Civic.
With 19,000 estimated sales, the Tesla Model 3 was the most sought-after electric vehicle.
(MarkLines Data Center)
Tesla Model 3 was also the 11th overall best-selling car in the US in January 2020.
With approximately 22,350 total car sales, Tesla experienced a 20.8% increase in retail sales in January 2020 compared to the same month in 2019.
(MarkLines Data Center)
When it comes to German car sales in the US, BMW sales went up by 4.3%.
(MarkLines Data Center)
VW sales increased by 8.1%, and Mercedes-Benz sales grew by 6.8% in January 2020 compared to January 2019.
From nationwide auto sales data, we can see that there were three light trucks, four SUVs, and three passenger cars among the top 10 best-selling car models in January 2020 in the US.
(MarkLines Data Center)
Top-Selling Cars in the US in Q1 2020
1. Ford F-Series (58,150 sold in January)
2. Chevrolet Silverado (43,030 sold in January)
3. Ram - Ram 1500 (36,986 sold in January)
4. Toyota - RAV4 (34,086 sold in January)
5. Honda - CR-V (26,027 sold in January)
US Car Sales - Historical Data
The 2008 global financial crisis had a severe impact on the US auto industry in terms of new vehicle sales.
(GoodCarBadCar.net)
In 2008, the industry suffered an 18% decline in new car retail sales, followed by a 21% decline in 2009.
US auto sales peaked in 2000, with almost 18 million new cars sold in that year alone.
(GoodCarBadCar.net)
After the Great Recession, it took until 2015 for the US car market to heal from the damage inflicted by the financial crisis and reach that 2000 sales mark once again.
Statistics show that there were 40.42 million used cars sold in 2018.
(Carsurance.net)
According to auto industry sales data, the value of the used car market in the US grew from $77.8 billion in 2009 to $117.9 billion in 2019.
(Carsurance.net)
US Car Sales by Brand
Ford’s signature F-Series light truck is America’s all-time best-selling car model, according to historical US auto sales data by manufacturer.
(USA TODAY)
It has been on the market since 1948.
When it comes to foreign car sales in the US, Toyota has been the top-selling non-domestic automaker since 2015.
(Investopedia)
Just behind General Motors and Ford, it’s also the third manufacturer by overall market share.
Ford, General Motors, and Fiat Chrysler have been ruling the country’s automobile industry for years.
(Investopedia)
A shift away from combustion engines has made way for innovators like Tesla to claim a growing share of the market when it comes to making US cars.
(Investopedia)
The Automobile Industry of the US - Market Share and Consumer Habits
As the biggest manufacturing industry in the country, the US auto industry accounts for approximately 3% of America’s total gross domestic product (GDP).
(Investopedia)
Estimates regarding the US automotive industry predict that by the end of 2020 there will be 287.3 million cars registered in the country.
(Carsurance.net)
US new car sale peak season occurs in spring, from the end of February through the end of May.
(Investopedia)
Another peak season is in autumn, from September through November.
The average car prices tend to increase by 10% to 15% during periods of high demand.
(Investopedia)
On the other hand, the prices of motor vehicles usually drop significantly in December.
In the television industry, advertising by automakers has been the main source of ad revenue since 2015.
(Investopedia)
Sources
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