Internationals Pass Domestics in U.S. Retail Sales

Washington DC July 24, 2006; The AIADA newsletter reported that the latest vehicle registration data from R.L. Polk & Co. shows that international automakers have surpassed domestic brands in U.S. retail sales, excluding fleet registrations, reports Automotive News.

Through the month of May, market share for international brands reached 52.9 percent, up from 49 percent a year earlier. Should the trend hold, it will mark the first year international automakers generate the majority of U.S. retail sales.

The six biggest gainers among import brands were Toyota, Volkswagen, Land Rover, Porsche, Mercedes and Suzuki.