Tag Archives: Thomas King

Recession? US Consumer Auto Spending at Record Levels

Retail sales of new vehicles this month are expected to reach 907,900 units, a 0.1% increase from February 2022. New-vehicle transaction prices continue to rise, with the average price reaching a February record of $46,229, a 4.8% increase from a year ago. Consumers are forecast to spend ~$42.0 billion on new vehicles this month—the most ever for the month of February and an increase of 5.0% from February 2022, as the Biden Administration economic recovery continues. Continue reading

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January US Vehicle Sales Up as Transaction Prices Hit Record

The record transaction prices means that buyers are on track to spend nearly $39.9 billion on new vehicles this month, the highest level ever for the month of January, an increase of 2.4% from January 2022 despite the Federal Reserve’s efforts to send the US into a recession. The looming Republican creation of a depression over the deficit, aka Congressional contract hit on America II, remains ominous. Continue reading

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December US Sales Up. Transaction Prices at Record Highs

Total new-vehicle sales for December 2022, including retail and non-retail transactions, are forecast to reach 1,254,700 units, a 5.3% increase from December 2021, according to a joint forecast from J.D. Power and LMC Automotive.* December 2022 has the same number of selling days as December 2021. The record transaction prices means that buyers are on track to spend nearly $48.2 billion on new vehicles this month, a slight -0.3% decrease from December 2021. Continue reading

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Record September for US New-Vehicle Spending at $45,622

While there is a great deal of fretting about the Federal Reserve’s monetary tightening, during September, new-vehicle prices remain at the highest levels, with the average transaction price expected to reach $45,622 – a record for September. This is a 6.3% increase from a year ago and the fourth highest of any month on record. The increase in sales volume, coupled with the near record level transaction prices, is resulting in consumers being on track to spend nearly $43.7 billion on new vehicles this month, the highest level ever for the month of September and a 12% increase from September 2021. Continue reading

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US Retail New Vehicle Sales to Decline in July. Prices Up

Higher prices along with a rising interest rates are leading to monthly loan payments reaching new all-time highs. After breaking $700 for the first time ever in July, the average monthly finance payment in August is forecast to hit a record $716, up $78 from August 2021. That translates to a 12.2% increase in monthly payments from a year ago, which is above the 11.5% increase in transaction prices. Continue reading

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US July Sales Forecast Down. Prices, Profits Still Records

Total new-vehicle sales for July 2022, including retail and non-retail transactions, are projected to reach 1,159,700 units, a 5.7% decrease from July 2021. Comparing the sales volume without adjusting for the number of selling days translates to a decrease of 9.2% from 2021. The seasonally adjusted annualized rate (SAAR) for total new-vehicle sales is expected to be 13.7 million units, down 0.9 million units from 2021. Continue reading

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US June Vehicle Sales Forecast is Down on Record Prices

New-vehicle retail sales in Q2 2022 are projected to reach 2,977,300 units, a 23.3% decrease from Q2 2021 when adjusted for selling days. New-vehicle retail sales for the first six months 2022 are projected to reach 5,827,300 units, a 19.1% decrease from the first six months of 2021 when adjusted for selling days. The first half of 2021 was an all-time record for retail sales. Power/LMC make no note of the Federal Reserve Board, which appears to be dedicated to sending and keeping the economy in a recession. Continue reading

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April US Auto Sales About to be Highest Ever. Blip or Trend?

Total new-vehicle sales for April 2021, including retail and non-retail transactions, are forecast to reach 1,479,800 units, a 107.1% increase from April 2020 and a 7.8% increase from April 2019 when adjusted for selling days. Reporting the same numbers without controlling for the number of selling days translates to a 107.1% increase from April 2020 and a 12.1% increase from April 2019. The seasonally adjusted annualized rate (SAAR) for total new-vehicle sales is expected to be 18.1 million units, up 9.4 million units from 2020 and up 1.7 million units from 2019. Continue reading

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August Vehicle Sales to Drop as Prices Hit Record High

Reporting the same numbers without controlling for the number of selling days translates to a decrease of -16.8% from a year ago. While the decline vs. August 2019 is substantial and reflects the ongoing do nothing about COVID-19 attitude of the hapless Trump reign, August 2020 contains two fewer selling days than August 2019. It also has no help from promotions during the Labor Day weekend, which is after the August sales close. Continue reading

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US June Retail Sales Down -6% from Pre-Virus Forecast

The sales came at a high price, though, Record levels of manufacturer incentives for the month of June are supporting the recovery. Incentive spending should reach $4,411 in June, the highest ever for the month and an increase of $445 from June 2019. Incentives on cars are expected to be up $459 to $4,031, with trucks/SUVs up $407 to $4,524. Continue reading

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