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.

Worldwide car sales grew to around ** million automobiles in 2024, up from around **** 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 ** 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 **** 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.

The number of new and used vehicles and the sales dollars respectively sold by month. MDOT MVA’s Customer Connect modernization project, implemented in July 2020, has increased the amount of data that is collected and used to calculate car sales. This data is updated in real time and may fluctuate based on external factors, including electronic submissions from dealers and other vendors.

According to high projections, the percentage of new cars purchased online in 2025 could grow in Europe, the United States, and China by at least *** percent. The market anticipating the largest growth in this context is China, with a projection of ***** percent of its new car sales originating from online purchases.

Total Vehicle Sales in the United States decreased to 15.30 Million in June from 15.70 Million in May 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.

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 vehicle type and origin of manufacture, monthly.

Total Vehicle Sales in China increased to 2686000 Units in May from 2590000 Units in April of 2025. This dataset provides - China Total Vehicle Sales- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

In terms of monthly light vehicle sales in the United States, Toyota was the top brand in December 2023 with Ford and Chevrolet in second and third place. Customers in the U.S. bought nearly 182,500 Toyota-badged vehicles in December 2023. What was the effect of the pandemic on sales? U.S. vehicle sales tanked in March 2020 but bounced back soon thereafter. Due to the global chip shortage, sales fell again through 2021 and 2022. U.S. auto dealers sold around 1.27 million light vehicles in December 2022, an increase of 5.39 percent year-on-year. These figures can be seen as a consequence of the dwindling supply while automakers halted manufacturing due to a lack of semiconductors for vehicle production. Raw material price inflation and the cost of living crisis recorded in 2022 had also impacted the supply and demand for new vehicles. Pre-crisis plateau Slightly under 14.5 million light vehicles were sold to U.S. auto dealers in 2020. Retail sales are estimated to have slowly recovered in 2021, falling short of the 15 million mark. New sales of light vehicles remained relatively flat between 2017 and 2019 albeit on a high level. 2019 car and light truck retail sales of just under 17 million units put the industry’s new light retail sales figures 1.4 percent lower in 2019 than in 2018. It was particularly passenger cars that did not move off the shelves easily, as light truck sales reached a peak in 2019. Passenger cars now only represented less than one-third of all light vehicle sales in the U.S. While the market recovered through 2023, passenger cars remained the less popular alternative to the larger light trucks for U.S. consumers.

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.

CEIC calculates monthly Motor Vehicles Sales Growth from monthly Motor Vehicles Sales. The Bureau of Economic Analysis provides Motor Vehicles Sales.

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.

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.

Key information about Colombia Motor Vehicles Sales

• Colombia Motor Vehicles Sales recorded 20,829 units in Nov 2024, compared with 19,037 units in the previous month.
• Colombia Motor Vehicles Sales is updated monthly, available from Jan 2003 to Nov 2024, with an averaged number of 21,291 units.
• The data reached an all-time high of 34,582 units in Nov 2012 and a record low of 2,423 units in Apr 2020.
• In the latest reports, Retail Sales of Colombia grew 7 % YoY in Nov 2024.

CEIC extends history for Motor Vehicles Sales. National Administrative Department of Statistics provides monthly Motor Vehicles Sales. Motor Vehicle Sales prior to January 2019 is based on old methodology.

Key information about Australia Motor Vehicles Sales Growth

• Australia Motor Vehicles Sales dropped 9.6 % in Feb 2025, compared with a decrease of 3.3 % in the previous month.
• Australia Motor Vehicles Sales Growth rate is updated monthly, available from Jan 1995 to Feb 2025, with an average growth rate of 2.1 %.
• The data reached an all-time high of 137.2 % in Apr 2021 and a record low of -48.5 % in Apr 2020.
• Car Sales of Australia recorded 94,993.0 units in Feb 2025.

CEIC calculates monthly Motor Vehicles Sales Growth from monthly Motor Vehicles Sales. The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries provides Motor Vehicles Sales. Motor Vehicles Sales Growth prior to January 2009 is sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Key information about Australia Motor Vehicle Sales: Passenger Cars

• Australia Motor Vehicle Sales: Passenger Cars was reported at 890,823.000 Unit in Dec 2023.
• This records an increase from the previous number of 777,688.000 Unit for Dec 2022.
• Australia Motor Vehicle Sales: Passenger Cars data is updated yearly, averaging 827,407.000 Unit from Dec 2005 to 2023, with 19 observations.
• The data reached an all-time high of 927,274.000 Unit in 2016 and a record low of 676,804.000 Unit in 2020.
• Australia 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).

Light vehicle sales in the United States could grow by 12.3 percent between 2022 and 2023. The U.S. auto industry is expected to sell about 15.5 million vehicles in a scenario that is based on data available through October 2023. Auto demand is expected to rebound
U.S. light vehicle demand started to bounce back in 2021, but the automotive semiconductor shortage is expected to lead to production cuts and lower sales. In 2021, motorists in the U.S. bought some 15 million new automobiles and light trucks, up from around 14.5 million units in 2020. The industry experienced record sales between 2015 and 2018 when new light vehicle sales in the U.S. exceeded 17 million units. Consumer confidence matters
Light vehicle demand picked up steam in the second half of 2020 after experiencing a sharp slump between March and May. The market defied predictions according to which new motor vehicle owners would not add new vehicles soon to the cars and light trucks already in their driveways. In 2022, the average price of a new light vehicle came to roughly 46,300 U.S. dollars. Consumers are typically less willing to make such a large investment when the economy slows down. In 2022, some 79.7 percent of new-vehicle buyers use financing schemes. In 2021, the average age of vehicles on U.S. roads was 12.1 years.

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.

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).

Key information about Vietnam Motor Vehicles Sales

• Vietnam Motor Vehicles Sales recorded 17,181 units in Feb 2025, compared with 15,676 units in the previous month.
• Vietnam Motor Vehicles Sales is updated monthly, available from Jul 2006 to Feb 2025, with an averaged number of 15,135 units.
• The data reached an all-time high of 44,978 units in Dec 2020 and a record low of 2,992 units in Feb 2007.
• In the latest reports, Retail Sales of Vietnam grew 9 % YoY in Feb 2025.

CEIC extends history for monthly Motor Vehicles Sales. Vietnam Automobile Manufacturer Association provides Motor Vehicles Sales. Motor Vehicles Sales prior to January 2011 exclude MBV and Lexus.

Key information about Mexico Motor Vehicles Sales Growth

• Mexico Motor Vehicles Sales grew 5.4 % in Jan 2025, compared with a growth of 2.1 % in the previous month.
• Mexico Motor Vehicles Sales Growth rate is updated monthly, available from Jan 1996 to Jan 2025, with an average growth rate of 6.2 %.
• The data reached an all-time high of 141.1 % in Apr 2021 and a record low of -64.8 % in Apr 2020.
• Car Sales of Mexico recorded 123,669.0 units in Jan 2025.

CEIC calculates monthly Motor Vehicles Sales Growth from monthly Motor Vehicles Sales. Motor Vehicles Sales are calculated as the sum of Automobile Sales, Domestic Sales of Trucks and Sales from Imported Trucks. The National Institute of Statistics and Geography provides Automobile Sales, Domestic Sales of Trucks and Sales from Imported Trucks.