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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

In 2024, the Ford Motor Company sold some 2.2 million motor vehicles to dealers and distributors throughout the United States. That year, the number of autos and light trucks sold in the U.S. rose to around 15.9 million units.

Graph and download economic data for Sales of imported new autos (B149RC1Q027SBEA) from Q1 1947 to Q4 2024 about imports, vehicles, new, sales, GDP, and USA.

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.

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

Key information about United States Motor Vehicles Sales

• United States Motor Vehicles Sales recorded 1,253,157 units in Feb 2025, compared with 1,138,523 units in the previous month.
• US Motor Vehicles Sales is updated monthly, available from Jan 1976 to Feb 2025, with an averaged number of 1,270,900 units.
• The data reached an all-time high of 1,845,713 units in Jul 2005 and a record low of 670,466 units in Jan 2009.
• In the latest reports, Retail Sales of US grew 1 % YoY in May 2023.

United States Motor Vehicle Sales & Leases: New Vehicle: Sales: Passenger Cars data was reported at 5,980.000 Unit th in 2010. This records an increase from the previous number of 5,850.000 Unit th for 2009. United States Motor Vehicle Sales & Leases: New Vehicle: Sales: Passenger Cars data is updated yearly, averaging 8,200.000 Unit th from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2010, with 21 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 9,300.000 Unit th in 1990 and a record low of 5,850.000 Unit th in 2009. United States Motor Vehicle Sales & Leases: New Vehicle: Sales: Passenger Cars 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.RA005: Motor Vehicle Sales & Leases: Quantity.