An estimated 1,356,250 new cars and trucks will be sold in the U.S. during October for an estimated Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate (aka SAAR) of 17.8 million.
If accurate, total October sales will be a -5.2% decrease from September 2016, and a -6.8%decrease from October 2015. The 17.8 million SAAR, however, would be close to the highest single month sales rate in 2016.
Edmunds.com, the data source of the soothsaying, projects that 14,464,835 new cars and trucks will be sold this year in the U.S. through the end of October, down -0.2 % from the 14,500,744 sales recorded through the first 10 months of 2015’s record-breaking year.
“On the surface, it might look like a slow month for sales, but in fact the industry’s performance was much stronger than the raw numbers suggest,” claimed Edmunds.com Senior Analyst Jessica Caldwell. “Even with month-to-month and year-to-year sales decreases, a 17.8 million SAAR in October would tie for the highest monthly sales rate of 2016. And considering that there are no popular weekend sales events in October, automakers and dealers can feel encouraged by this month’s performance as they head into what they hope will be a busy holiday season.”
The biggest loser appears to be diesel-emission fraud enmeshed VW/Audi, dropping to 39,645 units or -17.6% year-over-year. Other big losers are Ford Motor and FCA – aka Chrysler – with more than -10% declines in an industry that is forecast to be off by -6.8% year-over-year. Other notable laggards include GM at 246,512 in wholesales or -6.3%, Toyota at 189,995 or -6.9%, and Honda -5% at 125,162.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
