Detroit Three have trucks, but are badly outsold in cars by offshore brands
It’s been ten years since US auto sales in September were this high. Light vehicle sales reached more than 1.4 million, which resulted in a SAAR of 16.5 million, the highest since July 2005.
Light truck sales once again dominated the market in September, but other factors were in play. The late Labor Day weekend, low gas prices and 2015 model year closeout deals, meant September’s sales beat pundits’ predictions.
Across the auto industry 1,442,460 light vehicles were sold last month, compared to 1,577,407 in August and 1,246,006 a year ago. Sales for all brands in 2015, un-adjusted for business days, are up 5% from 2014 and 15.8% from September 2014.
Light truck demand once again drove the market in September. However, buyers once again preferred offshore brands. Six of the top ten selling vehicles in September were built and sold by international automakers – one less than last month. In fourth place behind the Ford F-Series, the Chevrolet Silverado pickups, and the Ram 1500-3500, the Toyota Camry reclaimed its Number One spot from the Honda Accord. The Toyota Corolla, up 29.7% compared to last year, took the 10th place, meaning Toyota had three of the top ten selling vehicles – more than any other maker.
As a segment, Asian nameplates lost to the Detroit Three in September with 45.1% of the U.S. market, a decrease from 46.6% in August. In total, they sold 650,008 vehicles, down from 735,056 in August but up from 556,150 in September 2014. European nameplates rose from 8.7% market share in August to 8.9%. They sold 128,106 units down from 137,782 units in August but up from 118,721 one year ago. Detroit Three brands rose from 44.7% share in August to 46.1% of the market in September.
