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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

Sales of used light vehicles in the United States came to around 38.9 million units in the third quarter of 2024. The same period, approximately 15.6 million new light trucks and automobiles were sold here. Declining availability of vehicles In the fourth quarter of 2023, about 288.5 million vehicles were in operation in the United States, an increase of under one percent year-over-year. The rising demand for vehicles paired with an overall price inflation lead to a rise in new vehicle prices. In contrast, used vehicle prices slightly decreased. E-commerce: a solution for the bumpy road ahead? Financial reports have revealed how the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic has triggered a shift in vehicle-buying behavior. With many consumer goods and services now bought online due to COVID-19, the automobile industry has also started to digitally integrate its services online to reach consumers with a preference for contactless test driving amid the global crisis. Several dealers and automobile companies had already begun to tap into online car sales before the pandemic, some of them being Carvana and Tesla.

Graph and download economic data for Retail Sales: New Car Dealers (MRTSSM44111USN) from Jan 1992 to Dec 2024 about dealers, vehicles, retail trade, new, sales, retail, and USA.

United States Motor Vehicle Sales: Average Price data was reported at 13,105.000 USD in 2010. This records an increase from the previous number of 12,518.000 USD for 2009. United States Motor Vehicle Sales: Average Price data is updated yearly, averaging 12,098.000 USD from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2010, with 21 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 13,451.000 USD in 2007 and a record low of 8,691.000 USD in 1990. United States Motor Vehicle Sales: Average Price data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Transportation Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.RA004: Motor Vehicle Sales: Average Price.

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).

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.

United States EIA Projection: New Car Sales data was reported at 5,050.119 Unit th in 2050. This records an increase from the previous number of 5,014.356 Unit th for 2049. United States EIA Projection: New Car Sales data is updated yearly, averaging 4,982.327 Unit th from Dec 2022 (Median) to 2050, with 29 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 5,286.619 Unit th in 2024 and a record low of 4,859.555 Unit th in 2033. United States EIA Projection: New Car Sales data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by U.S. Energy Information Administration. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.RA010: New Vehicle Sales: Projection.

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.

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 Producer Price Index by Industry: New Car Dealers: Vehicle Sales (PCU4411104411101) from Dec 1999 to Feb 2025 about dealers, vehicles, new, sales, PPI, industry, inflation, price index, indexes, price, and USA.

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.

Graph and download economic data for Motor Vehicle Retail Sales: Foreign Autos (FAUTOSAAR) from Jan 1967 to Feb 2025 about foreign, vehicles, retail trade, new, sales, retail, and USA.

This dataset provides values for TOTAL VEHICLE SALES reported in several countries. The data includes current values, previous releases, historical highs and record lows, release frequency, reported unit and currency.

The U.S. new-car market has rebounded strongly in 2024, driven by better inventories and incentives, with sales projected to exceed 15.8 million vehicles, marking the best performance since 2019.

Graph and download economic data for Monthly State Retail Sales: Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers in New York (MSRSNY441) from Jan 2019 to Nov 2024 about dealers, parts, vehicles, retail trade, NY, sales, retail, and USA.