AIADA Reports July 2016 US Auto Sales - Modest Gains
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“International brands performed well in July,” said AIADA President Cody Lusk. “Our section of the industry continues to see steady gains as consumers respond positively to the value and wide selection offered by international nameplate dealers.”
Internationals Gain Market Share in July
International brands increased their share of the U.S. market in July, capturing 56.4 percent, up from 54.3 percent in June and 55.8 percent in May. Overall, they sold 858,541 vehicles, up from 822,002 in June and 856,857 in May.
Asian brands reported an uptick in market share, capturing 47.5 percent and selling 722,377 vehicles in July. Both figures were an increase over June when they held 45.5 percent of the market and sold 688,417 units. They were also improved over July 2015 when they held 46.8 percent of the market and sold 707,243 vehicles. July sales figures for Asian brands included 265,687 North American-sourced cars and 244,739 North American-sourced trucks and are up 2.1 percent over last July and 2.1 percent for the year-to-date.
European brands sold 136,164 vehicles in July for an 8.9 percent share of the market—up from 8.8 percent last month when they sold 133,585 vehicles. July sales for European brands were also up from July 2015 when they occupied 8.8 percent of the market and sold 132,748 vehicles. Overall sales for the month included 21,852 North American-sourced cars and 13,603 North American-sourced trucks. They were up 2.6 percent over last July, but down 3.1 percent for the year overall.
Domestic brands finished the month with 43.6 percent of the U.S. market, down from 45.7 percent last month, and sales of 663,756 units.
International Models Are Some of July’s Most Popular Vehicles
International nameplates represented seven of the top ten selling vehicles in July. With demand for SUVs rising, the Honda CR-V was the most popular international vehicle on dealer lots last month. In fourth place behind the Ford F-Series, Chevrolet Silverado, and Ram pickups, the CR-V sold 36,017 units and saw a sales increase of 13.3 percent over last July. The CR-V’s fellow SUV, the Nissan Rogue, logged a sixth place finish with sales up 32.8 percent, and the Toyota RAV4 finished the month in ninth place with sales up 19.3 percent.
The Toyota Camry remained the most popular car in America, although it fell to fifth place for the month. Sales were down 11.2 percent from last July. The Honda Civic once again joined the month’s most popular cars in seventh place with sales up 5.8 percent. It was followed by the Honda Accord in eighth and Toyota Corolla in tenth place.
North American Manufacturing Powers U.S. Dealer Lots
North American manufacturing remained a large source of vehicles sold in the U.S. in July, with automakers sourcing 545,881 vehicles from these facilities—many of which are located in the U.S. These included 287,539 cars and 258,342 trucks. Asian brands sourced 510,426 vehicles from these plants, representing 71 percent of all vehicles they sold in the U.S. last month European brands sourced 35,455 vehicles from their North American facilities—which represented 26 percent of all vehicles they sold in the U.S. in July.
Outlook
AutoData Corp. reports that the seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) in July was 17.88 million units versus 17.59 million units a year ago. Industrywide, 1,522,297 light vehicles were sold in July, compared to 1,513,901 in June of 2016. Unadjusted for business days, sales for all brands were up 0.7 percent from July 2015 and 1.3 percent year-to-date. International brands outperformed the market as a whole last month, up 2.2 percent from July 2015.
