August 2015 US New Auto Sales: Americans Shrug At Global Market Volatility

Ford’s gross sales possible elevated, regardless of a later Labor DayAnalysts expect a small year-over-year decline in U.S. auto gross sales when August outcomes are reported on Tuesday, with TrueCar and Edmunds each predicting drops of slightly below three%. Somewhat, the drop is probably going as a result of the run-up to Labor Day weekend is a bit later than typical this yr, and that is a well-liked time to go automotive purchasing.

Ford’s incentives are in all probability down now, however truck gross sales are possible risingAfter months of weak outcomes as a effect of brief provides, Ford’s pickup gross sales.

A unit sales increase of more than 5,000 pulls the F-Series closer to total sales of the GMC Sierra and Chevy Silverado, both from General Motors Co.

Among German luxury vehicle makers, Daimler AG’sMercedes-Benz topped the sales charts with a 4.8% gain to 28,373, followed by BMW AG, which posted a 2% increase to 27,755.

Nissan Group (NSANF.PK, NSANY.PK)’s August U.S. sales declined 0.8 percent from a year ago to 133,351 units.

In total, Asian automakers saw their sales fall 3.3 percent and their market share shrink to 46.6 percent from 48.0 percent.

GM’s 0.7 percent decline beat analysts’ estimates, leading the company to say that industry sales this year may reach 17.3 million, up from an original forecast of as many as 17 million cars and light trucks. China’s auto sales figures are due out later this month. Ford is stepping up production to meet robust demand for its new aluminum-bodied F-150 pickup, the company’s most popular vehicle that accounts for nearly half its earnings.

Ford delivered its best August U.S. sales in nine years with 234,237 vehicles sold, a 5% increase.

Ford and Fiat Chrysler bucked the trend. The automaker said it has about 90,000 F-150s in its inventory – a large drop from the 173,000 it had at this time previous year, but about 3,000 more than two months ago.

Subaru, a unit of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd., reported sales rose almost 5% over a year earlier.

The company’s Jeep brand enjoyed an 18% increase for the month, and the Ram brand rose 6%.

“The U.S. economy remains on a strong footing despite recent turmoil in the global financial markets”, Yong Yang, Ford’s senior U.S. economist, said on a conference call.

“We’re in a wait and see mode for China right now”, said Akshay Anand, a market analyst with Kelley Blue Book. “Improved availability helped make August the strongest sales month this year for F-Series”. Toyota division sales fell 10.5 percent, while Lexus unit rose 2.1 percent.

Automakers reported some mixed U.S. sales for August, marked by fewer working days and a delayed Labor Day, even as the month was largely bullish, spurred by lower interest rates, cheaper gas, and some strong employment data that buoyed consumer confidence. Growth was attributable to Jeep, Fiat, and Ram Truck brands.