The U.S. auto industry sold nearly three million cars in 2024. That year, total car and light truck sales were approximately 15.9 million in the United States. U.S. vehicle sales peaked in 2016 at roughly 17.5 million 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 77 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 40 U.S. dollars per barrel. The decline occurred in tandem with lower gasoline prices, which came to about 2.17 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.

Worldwide car sales grew to around 78 million automobiles in 2024, up from around 75.3 million units in 2023. Throughout 2020 and 2021, the sector experienced a downward trend on the back of a slowing global economy, while COVID-19 and the Russian war on Ukraine contributed to shortages in the automotive semiconductor industry and further supply chain disruptions in 2022. Despite these challenges, 2023 and 2024 sales surpassed pre-pandemic levels and are forecast to keep rising through 2025. Covid-19 hits car demand It had been estimated pre-pandemic that international car sales were on track to reach 80 million. While 2023 sales are still far away from that goal, this was the first year were car sales exceeded pre-pandemic values. The automotive market faced various challenges in 2023, including supply shortages, automotive layoffs, and strikes in North America. However, despite these hurdles, the North American market was among the fastest-growing regions in 2024, along with Eastern Europe and Asia, as auto sales in these regions increased year-on-year. Chinese market recovers After years of double-digit growth, China's economy began to lose steam in 2022, and recovery has been slow through 2023. China was the largest automobile market based on sales with around 25.8 million units in 2023. However, monthly car sales in China were in free-fall in April 2022 partly due to shortages, fears over a looming recession, and the country grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic. By June of that same year, monthly sales in China were closer to those recorded in 2021.

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.

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.

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

Car Registrations in Indonesia increased to 72295 Units in February from 61849 Units in January of 2025. This dataset provides - Indonesia Total Car Sales - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Total Vehicle Sales in China decreased to 2423000 Units in January from 3489000 Units in December of 2024. This dataset provides - China Total Vehicle Sales- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

In 2022, U.S. auto shoppers bought approximately 2.86 million autos. Meanwhile, light trucks accounted for more than 79 percent of light vehicles sold to individual customers and corporate fleets in the United States.

Total Vehicle Sales in Spain increased to 105346 Units in December from 83339 Units in November of 2024. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - Spain New Car Sales - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Total Vehicle Sales in Australia increased to 94993 Units in February from 86804 Units in January of 2025. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - Australia New Car Sales - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

In 2018, about 511,500 cars were sold in Florida, making it the second best performing state in terms of car sales. Car sales are losing popularity in the United States with more motorists preferring other segments such as small trucks, SUVs, and minivans. Overall, some 1.3 million light vehicles were sold to customers in Florida in 2018. California dominates traditional and electric car sales California is not only the largest market for cars but also for plug-in electric vehicles. The state is known for progressive state legislation that promotes the manufacturing and sale of electric vehicles. It is also the home to the Tesla headquarters. The company is behind much of the growth of electric vehicles in the United States. Over 4.7 percent of California’s new vehicle sales in 2018 were electric vehicles. The Californian electric vehicle fleet is expected to surpass three million vehicles by 2030. With so many electric vehicles on the road, heavy investments must be made into electric vehicle infrastructure. An extensive network of charging stations has been set up along highways between Mexico and Canada. The ‘West Coast Green Highway’ consists of hundreds of fast chargers in California, Oregon, and Washington. Pacific Coast states accounted for over half of all U.S. electric vehicle sales in 2018.

Total Vehicle Sales in Thailand increased to 49313 Units in February from 48092 Units in January of 2025. This dataset provides - Thailand Total Vehicle Sales- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Graph and download economic data for Motor Vehicle Retail Sales: Domestic and Foreign Autos (LAUTONSA) from Jan 1976 to Feb 2025 about foreign, vehicles, retail trade, domestic, new, sales, retail, and USA.

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

Total Vehicle Sales in Chile decreased to 21044 Units in February from 25834 Units in January of 2025. This dataset provides - Chile Total Vehicle Sales- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Key information about United States Motor Vehicles Sales Growth

• United States Motor Vehicles Sales dropped 1.0 % in Feb 2025, compared with a growth of 2.8 % in the previous month.
• US Motor Vehicles Sales Growth rate is updated monthly, available from Jan 1977 to Feb 2025, with an average growth rate of 1.8 %.
• The data reached an all-time high of 109.5 % in Apr 2021 and a record low of -45.9 % in Apr 2020.
• Car Sales of US recorded 1,253,157.0 units in Feb 2025.

Motor Vehicle sales by county and quarter for some counties in Colorado since 2010. This data set is provided by the Department of Revenue (DOR).

Graph and download economic data for Monthly State Retail Sales: Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers in Florida (MSRSFL441) from Jan 2019 to Nov 2024 about dealers, parts, vehicles, retail trade, FL, sales, retail, and USA.

At around 948,000 unit sales, light trucks remained the largest U.S. auto market segment in September 2024, down from around 1.2 unit sales in October 2024 and decreasing by approximately 11.2 percent year-on-year. Global chip shortage affects supply The second quarter of 2020 saw a significant drop in automotive sales volume compared to the year before. Most of the disruption was seen in May, before restrictions to curtail the coronavirus pandemic were lifted. Sales showed signs of recovery in the following months, before dropping again in 2021. The industry's inventory-to-sales ratio nosedived in May 2020, and has not fully recovered since. Supply issues were not felt as strongly across the automotive sector, while car demand was low due to national lockdowns brought on by the pandemic. However, as consumers' purchasing intentions picked up, vehicle stocks could not meet the new demand due to chip shortages, which led to production halts and cuts. U.S. vehicle sales gain momentum thanks to light truck sales As the year 2020 came to an end, motor vehicle sales in the United States finished on a high note. Following the Covid-19 disruption, the U.S. auto sector began to recover in the third quarter. However, the semiconductor shortage and global inflation further impacted sales in 2021 and 2022. In contrast, 2023 was an encouraging year. U.S. motor vehicle sales grew to over 15.5 million that year, which was the highest it had been since the onset of the pandemic. This jump in sales was partly due to light truck retail sales, which exceeded their pre-pandemic level in 2023.

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