Some 283.4 million vehicles were registered in the United States in 2022. The figures include passenger cars, motorcycles, trucks, buses, and other vehicles. The number of light trucks sold in the U.S. stood at 10.9 million units in 2022. U.S. vehicle registrations The United States is one of the world’s largest automobile markets based on the number of new light vehicle registrations, with more than 13.8 million new light vehicle registrations in 2021. However, domestic production of automobiles fell to around 1.6 million units in 2021 and has struggled to increase in 2022. At the same time, the United States imports a significant number of vehicles from various countries, such as Japan, Mexico, and Canada. Leading car manufacturers in the United States The leading car manufacturers overall in the United States include the domestic heavyweights General Motors and Ford. With respect to car brands, the Ford brand clocked in at number one in 2022, selling around 1.8 million vehicles in the United States alone. The brand's holding company is the Ford Motor Company; it was founded by Henry Ford in 1903 in Dearborn, Michigan. The company pioneered in large-scale car manufacturing and introduced production methods such as the assembly line.

In 2023, California had the most automobile registrations: almost 13.2 million such vehicles were registered in the most populous U.S. federal state. California also had the highest number of registered motor vehicles overall: nearly 30.4 million registrations.

The graph displays the number of registered motor vehicles in the United States by type in 2022. The x-axis represents vehicle types—cars, buses, trucks, motorcycles, and all motor vehicles—while the y-axis shows the total number of registrations for each type. Registrations range from 954,119 buses to 172,932,334 trucks, with cars totaling 99,946,870 and motorcycles at 9,567,664. The total number of all registered motor vehicles stands at 283,400,986, highlighting the dominance of trucks compared to other vehicle types.

Key information about US Number of Registered Vehicles

• US Number of Registered Vehicles was reported at 283,400,986 Unit in Dec 2022.
• This records an increase from the previous number of 282,354,993 Unit for Dec 2021.
• US Number of Registered Vehicles data is updated yearly, averaging 93,949,852 Unit from Dec 1910 to 2022, with 113 observations.
• The data reached an all-time high of 283,400,986 Unit in 2022 and a record low of 468,500 Unit in 1910.
• US Number of Registered Vehicles data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by CEIC Data.
• The data is categorized under World Trend Plus’s Global Economic Monitor – Table: No of Registered Vehicles: Annual.

In the second quarter of 2024, there were around 291.1 million vehicles operating on roads throughout the United States. Almost 38.9 million used vehicles changed owners in the U.S. between the second quarter of 2023 and the second quarter of 2024, while new registrations of vehicles came to about 15.5 million units during that period. Automotive market disparities The number of licensed drivers had been steadily increasing up to just under 235,100 in 2022, but the automotive market has been impacted by economic developments over the past few years. The U.S. vehicle fleet is aging, reflected by the slow increase of the average vehicle age from 11.7 years in 2018 to over 12 years in 2023. This is in part due to market disparities. The average selling price of new vehicles has been increasing to over 47,000 U.S. dollars in 2023, up from under 35,000 in 2016. Used car prices have also been rising amidst the chip shortages linked to the COVID-19 pandemic, reaching around 29,300 U.S. dollars in 2023. The majority of U.S. car owners earned more than 40,000 U.S. dollars per years, with the 50,000 to 75,000 income group owning over 33 percent of the vehicles in use. The boom of the used vehicle market Close to three-quarter of new car buyers were born between 1946 and 1981, with Gen X being the leading consumers by age group for both the new and used vehicle market. Used light vehicle sales have been steadily increasing since 2010, representing well over double the size of the new light vehicle market in 2023. With a product range priced below new vehicle prices, used vehicles are gaining momentum in the United States. The average American household spends some 5,500 U.S. dollars on vehicle purchases annually, with consumers in income groups earning above 100,000 U.S. dollars per year spending above 7,200 dollars annually on car buying. Used vehicle financing options are naturally more affordable than new vehicle financing options, with an average monthly payment over 726 dollars for loan payments for new vehicles.

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.

Over the course of the 20th century, the number of operational motor vehicles in the United States grew significantly, from just 8,000 automobiles in the year 1900 to more than 183 million private and commercial vehicles in the late 1980s. Generally, the number of vehicles increased in each year, with the most notable exceptions during the Great Depression and Second World War.

Key information about United States Motor Vehicle Production

• United States Motor Vehicle Production was reported at 10,611,555.000 Unit in Dec 2023.
• This records an increase from the previous number of 10,052,958.000 Unit for Dec 2022.
• US Motor Vehicle Production data is updated yearly, averaging 11,292,123.000 Unit from Dec 1997 to 2023, with 27 observations.
• The data reached an all-time high of 13,024,978.000 Unit in 1999 and a record low of 5,731,397.000 Unit in 2009.
• US Motor Vehicle Production 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.MVP: Motor Vehicle Production: by Country.

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).

On average, there are 1.88 vehicles per U.S. household. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the percentage of households without a car or light truck came to around nine percent in 2017, meaning that about 90 percent of households had at least one light vehicle at their disposal in that same year.

Most Americans drive daily

In a recent Gallup poll among U.S. adults, about 64 percent of respondents claimed to drive daily, while another 19 percent of respondents stated that they would use a motor vehicle multiple times in an average week. These figures are in line with the U.S. motorization rate, which stood at 821 vehicles per 1,000 inhabitants in 2015.

 These streets were made for driving  

The United States has the most extensive road network, compared to any other country in the world: its road network encompasses almost 6.6 million kilometers or about four million miles. In 2018, there were about 270 million vehicles roaming the streets of the country.

Car Registrations in the United States increased to 219.90 Thousand in February from 192.40 Thousand in January of 2025. This dataset provides - United States Car Registrations - 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.

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.

Key information about United States Motor Vehicle Sales: Commercial Cars

• United States Motor Vehicle Sales: Commercial Cars was reported at 12,892,621.000 Unit in Dec 2023.
• This records an increase from the previous number of 11,371,749.000 Unit for Dec 2022.
• US Motor Vehicle Sales: Commercial Cars data is updated yearly, averaging 9,784,346.000 Unit from Dec 2005 to 2023, with 19 observations.
• The data reached an all-time high of 12,892,621.000 Unit in 2023 and a record low of 5,200,478.000 Unit in 2009.
• US Motor Vehicle Sales: Commercial 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: Commercial Vehicle (CV).

United States US: Passenger Cars: Per One Million Units of Current USD GDP data was reported at 6.065 Ratio in 2019. This records a decrease from the previous number of 6.445 Ratio for 2018. United States US: Passenger Cars: Per One Million Units of Current USD GDP data is updated yearly, averaging 9.732 Ratio from Dec 1994 (Median) to 2019, with 26 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 16.741 Ratio in 1994 and a record low of 6.065 Ratio in 2019. United States US: Passenger Cars: Per One Million Units of Current USD GDP data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.OECD.ITF: Motor Vehicles Statistics: OECD Member: Annual. PASSENGER CARS The stock of road motor vehicles is the number of road motor vehicles registered at a given date in a country and licenced to use roads open to public traffic. This includes road vehicles exempted from annual taxes or licence fee; it also includes imported second-hand vehicles and other road vehicles according to national practices. It should not include military vehicles.; PASSENGER CARS A passenger car is a road motor vehicle, other than a moped or a motorcycle, intended for the carriage of passengers and designed to seat no more than nine people (including the driver). It refers to category M1 of the UN Consolidated Resolution on the Construction of Vehicles. Passenger cars, vans designed and used primarily for transport of passengers, taxis, hire cars, ambulances and motor homes are not included. Light goods road vehicles, motor-coaches and buses and mini-buses/mini-coaches are not included. Microcars (needing no permit to be driven), taxis and passenger hire cars, provided that they have fewer than ten seats, are included.; PASSENGER CARS Passenger car refers to a motor vehicle other than a motorcycle, utility vehicle or low-speed vehicle consisting of a transport device typically designed for carrying eight or fewer persons.

Graph and download economic data for Sales: Retail Trade: Car Registration: Passenger Cars for United States (USASLRTCR03MLSAM) from Jan 1960 to Oct 2023 about car registrations, trade, vehicles, retail trade, sales, and retail.

United States Motor Vehicle Sales: Quantity: Light Vehicle: Light Trucks data was reported at 1,060.944 Unit th in Jun 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1,073.878 Unit th for May 2018. United States Motor Vehicle Sales: Quantity: Light Vehicle: Light Trucks data is updated monthly, averaging 505.773 Unit th from Jan 1976 (Median) to Jun 2018, with 510 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,110.044 Unit th in Mar 2018 and a record low of 133.600 Unit th in Dec 1981. United States Motor Vehicle Sales: Quantity: Light Vehicle: Light Trucks data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Economic Analysis. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.H017: Motor Vehicles Sale: Bureau of Economic Analysis.

United States Motor Vehicle Sales: Quantity: sa: Autos: Foreign data was reported at 103.453 Unit th in Jun 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 106.099 Unit th for May 2018. United States Motor Vehicle Sales: Quantity: sa: Autos: Foreign data is updated monthly, averaging 165.622 Unit th from Jan 1967 (Median) to Jun 2018, with 618 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 308.100 Unit th in Dec 1986 and a record low of 52.400 Unit th in Jan 1967. United States Motor Vehicle Sales: Quantity: sa: Autos: Foreign data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Economic Analysis. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.H017: Motor Vehicles Sale: Bureau of Economic Analysis.

Graph and download economic data for Sales: Retail Trade: Car Registration: Passenger Cars for United States (USASACRQISMEI) from Q1 1960 to Q3 2021 about car registrations and USA.

United States Motor Vehicle Sales: Quantity: sa: Heavy Trucks data was reported at 39.594 Unit th in Jun 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 37.713 Unit th for May 2018. United States Motor Vehicle Sales: Quantity: sa: Heavy Trucks data is updated monthly, averaging 28.600 Unit th from Jan 1967 (Median) to Jun 2018, with 618 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 46.700 Unit th in Mar 1973 and a record low of 13.200 Unit th in Oct 1982. United States Motor Vehicle Sales: Quantity: sa: Heavy Trucks data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Economic Analysis. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.H017: Motor Vehicles Sale: Bureau of Economic Analysis.