May 2015 US Auto Sales
Scorecard From AIADA

Washington DC June 3, 2015; The AIADA reported that U.S. sales defied expectations in May, racing to their best finish since July 2005. The month’s sales winners included BMW, up 4.7 percent; Subaru, up 12.2 percent; and Volkswagen, up 8.1 percent. Audi, up 11 percent, saw sales rise for an industry-leading 67th month in a row. Pick-ups, up 7.3 percent as a segment, and crossovers, up 10.4 percent, drove sales in May, while sales of small cars were down 3.5 percent. Honda’s sales were flat, falling 0.3 percent, and Toyota saw sales slip 1.6 percent.

“Memorial day weekend sales and summer-like weather had consumers feeling confident in May,” said AIADA President Cody Lusk. “Interest rates are low and Americans are finding the vehicles and deals they’re looking for at their local international nameplate dealership.”

Internationals Lead May Market

International nameplate brands once again dominated the U.S. market in May, logging 54.6 percent of all sales for the month. The figure was up from 53.5 percent in April and even with the 54.6 percent share they held in May 2014. Overall sales reflected May’s hot auto market as international brands sold 891,687 units, up from 775,510 last month and 879,503 last May.

Asian automakers benefitted the most from May’s sales climate, logging a 45.7 percent share of the U.S. market. The figure reflected an increase over the 44.3 percent share they held last month, but down slightly from the 46.2 percent share they held in May 2014. Overall, Asian brands sold 746,736 vehicles, up from 644,116 last month and 743,937 last May. European brand market share dipped slightly as they finished the month with 8.9 percent, down from 9.2 percent in April, but up from the 8.4 percent share they held last May. However, overall sales of 144,951 units were an improvement over the 133,394 vehicles they sold in April and 135,566 sold last May. Domestic brands finished the month with 45.5 percent of the market, down from 46.6 percent last month, but up from 45.3 percent last May. Sales of domestic nameplates reached 743,403 units, an improvement over 677,441 sold in April and 729,190 in May 2014. 

U.S. Shoppers Prefer International Models

International models remained popular with U.S. shoppers as six of the top ten selling vehicles represented international nameplate brands—up from five last month. The consistently-popular Toyota Camry remained a favorite with shoppers; it was the most popular car for the month, logging a third place finish behind the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado pickup trucks. In fifth place, the Corolla also joined the Camry on the month’s list of top-sellers. 

Honda vehicles made the strongest showing on the month’s top ten list, with three models logging strong finishes. In sixth place, the compact Civic led the brand, followed by the midsize sedan Accord in eighth, and the crossover CR-V in ninth. The Nissan Altima finished the month in seventh place.

N. American Manufacturing Thrives

International brands sourced 581,295 of May’s vehicles from their North American production facilities—an increase over 499,375 last month and 560,808 last May. Asian nameplates sourced 537,457 of their vehicles, including 298,569 cars (39 percent of all cars sold) and 238,888 trucks (27.4 percent of all trucks sold) from these plants close to home. European automakers utilized these facilities to produce 43,838 of their May vehicles. These included 28,212 cars (3.7 percent of all cars sold) and 15,626 trucks (1.8 percent of all trucks sold).

Outlook

AutoData Corp. reports that the seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) was 17.79 million units, beating analysts’ expectation of 17.3 million units. This is the highest recorded SAAR since the 20.65 million units reported in July 2005. Industrywide, 1,635,090 light vehicles were sold last month, compared to 1,454,951 in April and 1,608,693 a year ago. So far this year sales for all brands, unadjusted for business days, are up 4.5 percent from 2014.