In 2024, the auto industry in the United States sold approximately 15.9 million light vehicle units. This figure includes retail sales of about three million passenger cars and just under 12.9 million light trucks. Lower fuel consumption There are many kinds of light vehicles available in the United States. Light-duty vehicles are popular for their utility and improved fuel economy, making them an ideal choice for savvy consumers. As of Model Year 2023, the light vehicle manufacturer with the best overall miles per gallon was Kia, with one gallon of gas allowing for 30.4 miles on the road. Higher brand satisfaction When asked about light vehicle satisfaction, consumers in the United States were most satisfied with Toyota, Subaru, Tesla, and Mercedes-Benz models. Another survey conducted in 2018 and quizzing respondents on their stance regarding the leading car brands indicated that Lexus was among the most dependable brands based on the number of problems reported per 100 vehicles.

Light trucks with a gasoline-fueled internal combustion engine (ICE) were the most popular type of light vehicle in the United States. Here, gasoline ICE light trucks had an estimated market share of about ***** percent in 2022. The current state of the U.S. market Light trucks represent most of the vehicle sales in the United States, making it the best-selling vehicle type in the country. However, light vehicle retail sales dropped in 2022, down to ***** million units. This **** percent drop brought retail sales lower than the volume recorded in 2020, amid the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Motor vehicle production in the U.S. had started to recover in 2021, with the country’s output rising by just under **** percent between 2020 and 2021. However supply chain shortages led to challenges for the industry. The manufacturing sector's slow recovery was in part due to the global automotive semiconductor shortage, which impacted the industry through 2021 and 2022. The sustainable vehicle market Preliminary figures for vehicles from the model year 2021 single out pickup trucks as the type of vehicle with the highest carbon dioxide emission levels, followed by vans. The overall CO2 emissions of new light-duty vehicles have decreased since 2017, but remain over *** grams per mile for all vehicle types, with Sedans recording the lowest emission levels. Incentives to switch to alternative fuels with lower emission levels in the U.S. can include the annual fuel cost for light-duty vehicles, with all-electric vehicles recording the lowest fuel costs between *** and *** U.S. dollars per year as of 2021. However, the cost of fueling hybrid vehicles could climb higher than the cost of diesel-powered units. That same year, one in fifth states was considered an accessible market for consumers wishing to own an electric vehicle.

Motor vehicle sales grew by some **** percent worldwide between 2022 and 2023. Passenger vehicles increased by around **** percent compared to the previous year when some **** million cars were sold worldwide. The current state of the market In 2023, motor vehicle sales reached over **** million units worldwide. China was the largest automobile market worldwide, making up close to **** million of the new car registrations that same year. The United States and Europe ranked second and third, with light vehicle sales reaching approximately **** million units in the U.S. market. The German-based Volkswagen Group and Japanese Toyota Motor were the global leading automakers, with revenues reaching around ***** and ***** billion U.S. dollars respectively as of May 2024. The path to recovery The automotive chip shortage led to around **** million vehicles being cut from worldwide production in 2021, and forecasts estimate that these disruptions in the automotive supply chain will contribute to the removal of another ***** million units from production in 2022. However, despite these challenges, the demand for passenger cars increased in 2021 and 2022, as car sales slowly started to increase. This is partly due to consumers' interest in electric vehicles. Autonomous,electrified, and battery electric vehicles are also forecast to gain popularity in the next decades. Electrified vehicles are projected to make up close to ********* of car sales worldwide by 2025. By 2040, China is forecast to be one of the largest market for autonomous vehicle sales.

Key information about United States Motor Vehicle Sales: Passenger Cars

• United States Motor Vehicle Sales: Passenger Cars was reported at 3,116,647.000 Unit in Dec 2023.
• This records an increase from the previous number of 2,858,575.000 Unit for Dec 2022.
• US Motor Vehicle Sales: Passenger Cars data is updated yearly, averaging 6,089,403.000 Unit from Dec 2005 to 2023, with 19 observations.
• The data reached an all-time high of 7,761,592.000 Unit in 2006 and a record low of 2,858,575.000 Unit in 2022.
• US Motor Vehicle Sales: Passenger Cars data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers.
• The data is categorized under World Trend Plus’s Association: Automobile Sector – Table RA.OICA.MVS: Motor Vehicle Sales: by Country and Type: Passenger Car (PC).

Total Vehicle Sales in the United States decreased to 15.65 Million in May from 17.27 Million in April of 2025. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - United States Total Vehicle Sales - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Autos include all passenger cars, including station wagons. The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis releases auto and truck sales data, which are used in the preparation of estimates of personal consumption expenditures.

Graph and download economic data for Motor Vehicle Retail Sales: Domestic Autos (DAUTOSA) from Jan 1967 to May 2025 about headline figure, vehicles, retail trade, domestic, new, sales, retail, and USA.

When asked about "Car by type", most U.S. respondents pick "Mid-size car (e.g., Volkswagen Passat, Mercedes C-Class)" as an answer. 17 percent did so in our online survey in 2025. Looking to gain valuable insights about car owners across the globe? Check out our reports about consumers of car brands worldwide. These reports provide readers with a detailed understanding of car owners: their identities, preferences, opinions, and how to effectively engage with them.

Electric Vehicle Sales: ytd: Genesis: Genesis G80 data was reported at 51.000 Unit in Mar 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 397.000 Unit for Dec 2024. Electric Vehicle Sales: ytd: Genesis: Genesis G80 data is updated quarterly, averaging 295.000 Unit from Sep 2022 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 11 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,329.000 Unit in Dec 2023 and a record low of 51.000 Unit in Mar 2025. Electric Vehicle Sales: ytd: Genesis: Genesis G80 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Cox Automotive. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.RA008: Electric Vehicle Sales: by Brand and Model: ytd.

Electric Vehicle Sales: ytd: Mercedes data was reported at 3,472.000 Unit in Mar 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 28,154.000 Unit for Dec 2024. Electric Vehicle Sales: ytd: Mercedes data is updated quarterly, averaging 8,336.000 Unit from Sep 2021 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 15 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 47,582.000 Unit in Dec 2023 and a record low of 443.000 Unit in Dec 2021. Electric Vehicle Sales: ytd: Mercedes data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Cox Automotive. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.RA008: Electric Vehicle Sales: by Brand and Model: ytd.

The graph displays the number of retail car sales in the United States from 1976 to 2025. The x-axis represents the years, ranging from 1976 to 2025, while the y-axis indicates the number of cars sold, spanning from 10,357,300 to 17,477,300. Throughout this period, car sales exhibit significant fluctuations, with the highest sales of 17,477,300 units occurring in 2016 and the lowest of 10,357,300 units in 1982. Overall, the data reveals an upward trend in retail car sales over the decades, despite occasional declines during certain years. The information is presented in a line graph format, effectively highlighting the annual variations and long-term growth in car sales within the United States.

Strong growth in developing economies, like the BRICS and ASEAN member nations, has driven revenue for global car dealers despite slowdowns in established economies, like North America and Europe. Developed economies focus largely on value-added car purchases, while emerging markets focus primarily on volume. The transition to SUVs and crossovers with more safety and entertainment features has driven growth; in particular, these models' surging adoption rates have created numerous growth opportunities in developing economies. Even so, climbing interest rates across most key markets and faltering global consumer sentiment have somewhat constrained post-pandemic growth. Overall, revenue has expanded at an expected CAGR of 0.7% to $4.4 trillion through the current period, including a 2.1% jump in 2024, where profit reached 2.3%. Supply chain disruptions made new cars significantly more expensive, increasing inventory costs. Similarly, semiconductor and electronic component shortages reduced supply, leaving dealers with limited inventories. Even so, dealers were largely able to leverage torrid demand and pass added costs onto buyers, creating opportunities for revenue and profit growth. Volatile oil supply chains amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict also contributed to swelling demand for more fuel-efficient vehicles. Companies have also integrated online services to make the car-buying process simpler and more accessible, enabling them to combat heightened competition and access a wider network of buyers. The penetration of online platforms has transformed the car sales landscape, favoring larger dealership franchises over independent companies. Car dealers will continue to contend with substitutes, even as economic conditions improve and consumer sentiment rebounds through the outlook period. Government incentives and upstream innovations will also spur demand for electric and hybrid vehicles, generating strong per-unit revenue from dealers. Even so, slowing EV adoption rates in North America may dampen this segment's growth potential. Consumer preferences will also continue to trend toward online vehicle shopping, which provides convenience and efficiency to busy consumers, creating greater competition with various online dealers. Overall, revenue will climb at an expected CAGR of 2.5% to $4.9 trillion through the outlook period, where profit will reach 2.3%.

The North America Connected Car Market report segments the industry into By Technology Type (5G, 4G/LTE, 3G, 2G), By Application Type (Driver Assistance, Telematics, Infotainment, Other Application Types), By Connectivity Type (Integrated, Embedded, Tethered), By Vehicle Connectivity Type (V2Vehicle, V2Infrastructure, V2Pedestrain), By Vehicle Type (Passenger Cars, Commercial Vehicles), and By Country.

The U.S. auto industry sold nearly ************* cars in 2024. That year, total car and light truck sales were approximately ************ in the United States. U.S. vehicle sales peaked in 2016 at roughly ************ units. Pandemic impact The COVID-19 pandemic deeply impacted the U.S. automotive market, accelerating the global automotive semiconductor shortage and leading to a drop in demand during the first months of 2020. However, as demand rebounded, new vehicle supply could not keep up with the market. U.S. inventory-to-sales ratio dropped to its lowest point in February 2022, as Russia's war on Ukraine lead to gasoline price hikes. During that same period, inflation also impacted new and used car prices, pricing many U.S. consumers out of a market with increasingly lower car stocks. Focus on fuel economy The U.S. auto industry had one of its worst years in 1982 when customers were beginning to feel the effects of the 1973 oil crisis and the energy crisis of 1979. Since light trucks would often be considered less fuel-efficient, cars accounted for about ** percent of light vehicle sales back then. Thanks to improved fuel economy for light trucks and cheaper gas prices, this picture had completely changed in 2020. That year, prices for Brent oil dropped to just over ** U.S. dollars per barrel. The decline occurred in tandem with lower gasoline prices, which came to about **** U.S. dollars per gallon in 2020 - and cars only accounted for less than one-fourth of light vehicle sales that year. Four years on, prices are dropping again, after being the highest on record since 1990 in 2022.

Latin America Passenger Car Market Report is Segmented by Vehicle Type (hatchback, Sedan, and Sports Utility Vehicle), Fuel Type (gasoline, Diesel, and Electric), and Country (Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, and the Rest of Latin America). The Report Provides Market Size in Value (USD) for all Mentioned Segments.

Electric Vehicle Sales: ytd: Tesla: Tesla Model Y data was reported at 64,051.000 Unit in Mar 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 372,613.000 Unit for Dec 2024. Electric Vehicle Sales: ytd: Tesla: Tesla Model Y data is updated quarterly, averaging 190,393.000 Unit from Mar 2021 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 17 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 398,782.000 Unit in Dec 2023 and a record low of 37,700.000 Unit in Mar 2021. Electric Vehicle Sales: ytd: Tesla: Tesla Model Y data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Cox Automotive. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.RA008: Electric Vehicle Sales: by Brand and Model: ytd.

Number of units and total sales of new motor vehicles by vehicle type and origin of manufacture, monthly.

The United States automotive dealership market, valued at XX million in 2025, is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.00% from 2025 to 2033. Key market drivers include increasing vehicle sales, growth in the used car market, and rising demand for vehicle financing and insurance services. However, the market faces restraints such as the impact of economic downturns and competition from online car sales platforms. The market is segmented by type (new vehicle dealership, used vehicle dealership, parts and services, finance and insurance), retailer (franchised retailer, non-franchised retailer), and vehicle type (passenger cars, commercial vehicles). Major industry players include AutoNation Inc., Sonic Automotive Inc., Larry H. Miller Dealerships, Staluppi Auto Group, Lithia Motors Inc., Asbury Automotive Group Inc., Hendrick Automotive Group, Group 1 Automotive Inc., Penske Automotive Group, and Ken Garff Automotive Group. The market is primarily driven by the United States region, which accounts for the majority of market share. Recent developments include: July 2022: Lithia & Driveway (LAD) continued its US expansion by buying nine dealerships in southern Florida and one in Nevada, which are expected to add nearly USD 1 billion in annual revenue for the company. LAD also announced its expansion in Las Vegas, Nevada, with the addition of Henderson Hyundai and Genesis. With this purchase, LAD becomes the sole owner of the Hyundai and Genesis stores in the greater metro area., March 2022: Group1 Automotive Inc. announced that it completed a USD 2.0 billion five-year revolvings syndicated credit facility with 21 financial institutions that will expire in March 2027 and can be expanded to USD 2.4 billion total availability. The six manufacturer-affiliated finance companies are Mercedes-Benz Financial Services USA LLC, Toyota Motor Credit Corporation, BMW Financial Services NA LLC, American Honda Finance Corporation, VW Credit Inc., and Hyundai Capital America Inc., January 2022: Penske Automotive Group expanded its presence in the Austin/Round Rock market in Texas with the grand opening of the Honda Leander. The new dealership, located in Leander, Texas, is the retailer's 14th Honda store overall and is its ninth dealership in the market., January 2022: Sonic Automotive Inc., one of the nation's largest automotive retailers, acquired Sun Chevrolet in Chittenango, New York. Sonic also acquired Caputo's three used car locations in December 2021. The Chittenango location was the only new car dealership.. Key drivers for this market are: Rapid Urbanization and Demand for Convinient Transportation. Potential restraints include: Traffic Congestion in Major Cities. Notable trends are: Rising Focus of Automotive Dealers on Enhancing Consumer Experience and Dealer Network to Drive Demand.

Graph and download economic data for Retail Sales: Used Car Dealers (MRTSSM44112USN) from Jan 1992 to Apr 2025 about used, dealers, vehicles, retail trade, sales, retail, and USA.

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US Used Car Market Size 2025-2029

The us used car market size is forecast to increase by USD 40.2 billion at a CAGR of 4.3% between 2024 and 2029.

The used car market in the US exhibits robust growth, driven by the excellent value proposition that pre-owned vehicles offer to consumers. This market trend is further bolstered by the increasing penetration of online platforms dedicated to selling used cars, providing greater convenience and accessibility for buyers. However, the market faces regulatory challenges as stricter emission regulations limit the sale of non-compliant used cars, necessitating investments in upgrading inventory and adhering to regulatory frameworks. These hurdles, while significant, can be navigated through strategic partnerships with emission testing centers and ongoing investment in fleet modernization. Companies that effectively address these challenges and leverage the opportunities presented by the growing demand for used cars and the digital shift in sales channels will thrive in this dynamic market.

What will be the size of the US Used Car Market during the forecast period?

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In the dynamic used car market, consumers face various challenges such as car scams and fraudulent activities. To mitigate risks, car buyers turn to comprehensive car buying guides and car detailing services. A VIN number check is essential for vehicle identification and history assessment, while emissions testing ensures environmental compliance. Car sharing and subscription services offer flexible mobility solutions. Vehicle registration and title transfer processes can be streamlined through digital means, and car refurbishment and connected car technology enhance safety and convenience. Blind spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control are popular safety features, while collision avoidance systems and lane departure warning systems provide added protection. Used car logistics and online financing applications simplify the purchasing process, and extended warranties offer peace of mind. Wireless charging, smartphone integration, and vehicle diagnostics are essential features for modern cars. Sustainable mobility and car comparison tools cater to eco-conscious consumers, while car maintenance schedules and roadside assistance ensure long-term vehicle care. Remote vehicle inspection and car care tips help maintain a car's resale value, and car subscription services offer flexible ownership alternatives. Used car fraud prevention and vehicle identification technologies protect buyers from potential risks. Car safety ratings and vehicle identification numbers are crucial tools for informed decision-making.

How is this market segmented?

The market research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in 'USD billion' for the period 2025-2029, as well as historical data from 2019-2023 for the following segments. Distribution Channel3P channel salesOEM channel salesProductMid sizeFull sizeCompact sizeVendor TypeOrganizedUnorganizedFuel TypeDieselPetrolGeographyNorth AmericaUS

By Distribution Channel Insights

The 3p channel sales segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period.

The used car market in the US is a dynamic and significant sector, with numerous entities shaping its activity. Used car buyers continuously seek value, leading to a high demand for pre-owned vehicles. Search engine optimization and online advertising play crucial roles in connecting buyers with sellers, whether they're private parties or car dealerships. Wholesale car lots and auctions provide inventory for dealerships, ensuring a steady supply of used cars. Fleet vehicles, often traded in for newer models, contribute to the used car inventory. Maintenance records and vehicle history reports are essential for buyers, influencing their purchasing decisions. Safety features, infotainment systems, and driver assistance are increasingly desired in used cars, especially among budget-conscious consumers and luxury car buyers. Electric and hybrid vehicles are gaining popularity, driving the demand for used models in these categories. Car negotiation, fuel economy, and vehicle valuation are essential factors in used car selling. Digital marketing, including social media, mobile apps, and data analytics, helps sellers reach a wider audience. Certified pre-owned vehicles, reconditioned cars, and consignment sales offer buyers additional options and peace of mind. Car financing, vehicle inspections, and warranties are essential components of the used car buying process. Autonomous driving technology and car pricing trends continue to evolve, impacting the used car market. As the average ownership cycle shortens, the market will see an increase in the availability of used cars, making it an exciting and ever-changing landscape for both buyers and sellers.

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