U.S. Auto Sales Up Slightly in April 2015

International Nameplate Dealers Announce Monthly Sales

Alexandria, VA -- May 4, 2015: The American International Automobile Dealers Association (AIADA) today released April 2015 sales figures for the international nameplate automobile industry. AIADA represents America’s approximately 10,000 international nameplate franchises whose brands accounted for 53.5 percent of all vehicles sold in the United States last month.

AutoData Corp. reports that the seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) was 16.50 million units in April, an improvement from 16.05 million a year ago but down from 17.15 million in March. Industrywide, 1,454,951 light vehicles were sold last month. Sales for all brands, unadjusted for business days, were up 4.6 percent from April 2014.

Some of April’s sales winners included Lexus, up 11.7 percent from April 2014; Mercedes-Benz, up 13 percent; and Nissan, up 5.4 percent. Honda saw sales fall 2.7 percent. Across the board transaction prices and loan terms were both on the rise, a sign that consumer confidence may also be heading in a positive direction. Light trucks and crossovers dominated April’s sales, topping the number of cars sold in the U.S. for the 20th month straight.

“Dealers are heading into the summer selling season feeling good,” said AIADA President Cody Lusk. “The industry is healthier than it’s been in years, and dealers feel they have the products Americans want.”

International brands sold 777,510 vehicles in April, down from 867,097 in March, but up from 685,118 in February. Asian nameplates occupied 44.3 percent of the U.S. market, down from 46.7 percent in March. European nameplates fell from 9.4 percent of market share in March to 9.2 percent in April. Domestic brands rose from 43.9 percent in March to 46.6 percent in April.

Dealers experienced modest sales improvement in April, buoying their expectations for a positive 2015 sales year. Some of April’s sales winners included Lexus, up 11.7 percent from April 2014; Mercedes-Benz, up 13 percent; and Nissan, up 5.4 percent. Honda saw sales fall 2.7 percent. Across the board transaction prices and loan terms were both on the rise, a sign that consumer confidence may also be heading in a positive direction. Light trucks and crossovers dominated April’s sales, topping the number of cars sold in the U.S. for the 20th month straight.

Despite Slower Month, Internationals Lead April Market Share

International nameplates led the U.S. auto market in April, occupying 53.5 percent, down from the 56.1 percent share they held in March and 53.9 percent last April. Overall, they sold 775,510 vehicles, down from 867,097 in March, but up from 750,328 sold in April 2014.

Asian automakers occupied 44.3 percent of the U.S. market, down from 46.7 percent last month and 44.9 percent in April 2014. Sales of 644,116 units were down from the 722,125 vehicles they sold last month, but still improved slightly over the 624,892 vehicles they sold last April. European brands held 9.2 percent, down slightly from 9.4 percent last month, but up from 9 percent last April. Overall sales of 133,394 were down from 144,972 vehicles sold in March, but up from last April when they sold 125,436 vehicles. Domestic brands finished April with 46.6 percent of the U.S. market, up from 43.9 percent in March and 46 percent in April 2014. They sold 677,441 vehicles, down from the 678,705 sold last month.

International Models are Favorites with U.S. Shoppers

International nameplate models represented five of the top ten selling vehicles in April. The Toyota Camry led the charge, maintaining its lead as America’s top selling car. It clocked the fourth position behind the Ford F-Series, Chevrolet Silverado, and Ram pickups models. Sales of the midsize sedan were down 10.4 percent for the year.

Compact models also made a strong showing for the month with the Toyota Corolla logging a fifth place finish for the month and a 10.1 percent sales improvement. In eighth place, Honda Civic sales were up 2.8 percent. The Honda CR-V was the only international compact SUV model that cracked the month’s top ten list, finishing in sixth place with a 3.4 percent sales improvement over April 2014. In ninth place, the Honda Accord also demonstrated its staying power among American buyers, although sales were down 20.1 percent for the year.

N. American Manufacturing Units Power On in April

International brands sourced 499,375 of their April vehicles from North American manufacturing operations, down slightly from 552,492 last month. North American plants run by Asian automakers produced 458,944 vehicles, including 252,453 cars (37.9 percent of all cars sold in the U.S.) and 206,491 trucks (26.2 percent of all trucks sold in the U.S.). European plants produced 40,431 vehicles, including 25,350 cars (3.8 percent of all cars sold in the U.S.) and 15,081 trucks (1.9 percent of all trucks sold).

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