U.S. auto sales in Q2 - some surprises - for your reading pleasure!

[aja8888]

Despite Ugliness at Stellantis, Nissan & Tesla, New Vehicle Sales in Q2 Rose to the Best Q2 since 2021. But June Stalled​ The Tesla Cybertruck may be entering automotive history as the most expensive failed model ever. Sales of new vehicles in June fell 4.2% year-over-year, to 1.25 million vehicles, after the best March (1.59 million) since 2021, a strong April (1.46 million), and a middling May (1.46 million). But June had only 24 selling days, compared to 26 in June 2024. Stellantis, Nissan & Tesla drag down Q2 sales.​ Among the 8 big automakers here, 5 booked strong year-over-year sales gains in Q2. GM’s EV sales doubled, which put it in the #2 spot. The other 3 automakers booked steep sales declines. Tesla only discloses global sales, not US sales. In Q2, Tesla’s global sales plunged by 13.5% year-over-year, a slight downward acceleration from the Q1 drop of 13.0%. Model 3 and Model Y sales combined dropped by 11.5% year-over-year, an improvement over the Q1 drop of 12.4%, to 373,728 vehicles. But the stunning thing is the plunge in sales of “Other Models,” which are the Cybertruck and the Models X and S. Sales plunged by 51.8% year-over-year, and they dropped even on a quarter-to-quarter basis, to just 10,394 vehicles.

 

[MichaelB]

Thanks for the link. Interesting article.

I wonder how much of the 2Q sales was due to frontrunning potential tariffs.

 

[aja8888]

Thanks for the link. Interesting article.

I wonder how much of the 2Q sales was due to frontrunning potential tariffs.

I think Wolf mentioned that some of it was due to that, but it would be hard to find out how much.

 

[Midpack]

Thanks for the link. Interesting article.

I wonder how much of the 2Q sales was due to frontrunning potential tariffs.

I'd be willing to bet that was a big influence...on many products, not just cars. We certainly bought some things in advance (that come from China especially).

The article didn't surprise me, I expected same.

 

[Texas Proud]

Yep... we bought a car because of possible tariffs... DW said she was not going to keep her 10YO SUV for 4 more years... so off we go to buy new.. ours is from Japan so I am sure it will have a tariff for all Trump years... and who knows after that... Biden kept the China tariffs, so the new president does not have to eliminate them...

 

[FI_RElater]

Also bought vehicle slightly early; car was ** 15 years old ** and I was original owner. I had figured it had two to three years left on it; then nephew needed car for graduate school (to and from current location) and realistically could not afford used car with comparable condition.

I figured that any tariffs, if enacted, would stay in place until I needed the replacement and that car prices are "sticky" in that while they will rise quickly are reluctant to decrease. I narrowed choice to a couple of hybrids (both from Japan and thus subject to potential tariffs) and did buy after test drive and waiting for it to be delivered. at my current age, and with my reduced amount of driving, it could easily be my last vehicle... and I did go with the slightly higher trim level to get more of the "bells and whistles" like blind spot detection, AWD, etc.

 

[robnplunder]

I'd be willing to bet that was a big influence...on many products, not just cars. We certainly bought some things in advance (that come from China especially).

The article didn't surprise me, I expected same.

Agreed.

I've been following the world economy (China, Korea, Japan, and a few EU nations). Many are struggling. Case in point, tourism into the US is down significantly (14% in March). There may be a global recession if it hasn't started already. If so, the US economy is likely to follow. My conclusion (could be very wrong) is that the car price will come down. I won't be buying a new car anytime soon.

 

[aja8888]

Agreed.

I've been following the world economy (China, Korea, Japan, and a few EU nations). Many are struggling. Case in point, tourism into the US is down significantly (14% in March). There may be a global recession if it hasn't started already. If so, the US economy is likely to follow. My conclusion (could be very wrong) is that the car price will come down. I won't be buying a new car anytime soon.

I am also seeing car prices getting soft around here. Lately, I have been getting mail from all the local dealers offering thousands of trucks and SUV's, mostly Ford and GM..

 

[Texas Proud]

Also bought vehicle slightly early; car was ** 15 years old ** and I was original owner. I had figured it had two to three years left on it; then nephew needed car for graduate school (to and from current location) and realistically could not afford used car with comparable condition.

I figured that any tariffs, if enacted, would stay in place until I needed the replacement and that car prices are "sticky" in that while they will rise quickly are reluctant to decrease. I narrowed choice to a couple of hybrids (both from Japan and thus subject to potential tariffs) and did buy after test drive and waiting for it to be delivered. at my current age, and with my reduced amount of driving, it could easily be my last vehicle... and I did go with the slightly higher trim level to get more of the "bells and whistles" like blind spot detection, AWD, etc.

And you left out what you did buy!!!

 

[GenXguy]

I am also seeing car prices getting soft around here. Lately, I have been getting mail from all the local dealers offering thousands of trucks and SUV's, mostly Ford and GM..

Where are you seeing this softening? Sale pricing? I wouldn't expect the price on the sticker being reduced, but maybe sales and incentives.

 

[aja8888]

Where are you seeing this softening? Sale pricing? I wouldn't expect the price on the sticker being reduced, but maybe sales and incentives.

Discounts off MSRP, added discounts (dealer cash), special financing, etc. GM is offering ~$5 K off a new truck and low interest financing. A good friend just LEASED a 2025 Equinox EV for under $300/month with a reasonable amount down and 15,000 miles per year allotment. Ford here is discounting off MSRP as is RAM.

VW keeps emailing me weekly about their deals

EDIT: Keating Chevrolet here is adverising $13,000 OFF MSRP for a new Silverado pickup.

Crazy.

I think there is a lot of unsold inventory on the ground around here.

Local ad:

https://www.keatingchevrolet.com/?kudos_platform=Google&kudos_source=MaxConnect&kudos_medium=Shopping&kudos_adid=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22445902940&gbraid=0AAAAA_GRJriK2UcZhf6mymK2l5ZrQW2yi&gclid=Cj0KCQjwmqPDBhCAARIsADorxIbhidQuLFMumv6ijbxcjhPUvzcCtdpQcgtnoqsIDHVQieUi-QHP9TcaArVmEALw_wcB

 

[braumeister]

Cybertruck may be entering automotive history as the most expensive failed model ever.​

I wouldn't be too sure about that. I've read that Ford lost $350 million on the Edsel back in the late 50s. That would be close to $4 billion today.

But there is also a lot of misinformation about that. One of my neighbors bought one of the original Edsels, and he drove it happily for at least 15 years that I know of, maybe longer.

 

[Texas Proud]

Discounts off MSRP, added discounts (dealer cash), special financing, etc. GM is offering ~$5 K off a new truck and low interest financing. A good friend just LEASED a 2025 Equinox EV for under $300/month with a reasonable amount down and 15,000 miles per year allotment. Ford here is discounting off MSRP as is RAM.

VW keeps emailing me weekly about their deals

EDIT: Keating Chevrolet here is adverising $13,000 OFF MSRP for a new Silverado pickup.

Crazy.

I think there is a lot of unsold inventory on the ground around here.

Local ad:

https://www.keatingchevrolet.com/?kudos_platform=Google&kudos_source=MaxConnect&kudos_medium=Shopping&kudos_adid=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22445902940&gbraid=0AAAAA_GRJriK2UcZhf6mymK2l5ZrQW2yi&gclid=Cj0KCQjwmqPDBhCAARIsADorxIbhidQuLFMumv6ijbxcjhPUvzcCtdpQcgtnoqsIDHVQieUi-QHP9TcaArVmEALw_wcB

I am around here and I think it is trucks that are being discounted more.... plus Ford and GM are not selling like Toyota and Honda... or the upscale Lexus and Acura... there is very little inventory with them except for trucks and Toyota...

 

[aja8888]

I am around here and I think it is trucks that are being discounted more.... plus Ford and GM are not selling like Toyota and Honda... or the upscale Lexus and Acura... there is very little inventory with them except for trucks and Toyota...

Toyota Tundras are being discounted, but not the Tacoma around here.

 

[Stormy Kromer]

A couple years ago, I guess it was three. I was in the market for a new pickup. Chevrolet Silverado since the one I bought new ins 2012 was turning 10 years old. About 100,000 miles.

I called the dealer and talked the the same salesman that sold me the truck I bought 10 years earlier. He acted almost annoyed, he said "I'll put your name on the list, there are 10 guys ahead of you" He said "send $5,000 and we'll let you know when your turn for a truck comes in" I asked how much? He said $3,000 over Sticker Price. I said, no thank you.

Now lately he calls about once a month and is my best friend...

 

[aja8888]

A couple years ago, I guess it was three. I was in the market for a new pickup. Chevrolet Silverado since the one I bought new ins 2012 was turning 10 years old. About 100,000 miles.

I called the dealer and talked the the same salesman that sold me the truck I bought 10 years earlier. He acted almost annoyed, he said "I'll put your name on the list, there are 10 guys ahead of you" He said "send $5,000 and we'll let you know when your turn for a truck comes in" I asked how much? He said $3,000 over Sticker Price. I said, no thank you.

Now lately he calls about once a month and is my best friend...

LOL!!

 

[Texas Proud]

A couple years ago, I guess it was three. I was in the market for a new pickup. Chevrolet Silverado since the one I bought new ins 2012 was turning 10 years old. About 100,000 miles.

I called the dealer and talked the the same salesman that sold me the truck I bought 10 years earlier. He acted almost annoyed, he said "I'll put your name on the list, there are 10 guys ahead of you" He said "send $5,000 and we'll let you know when your turn for a truck comes in" I asked how much? He said $3,000 over Sticker Price. I said, no thank you.

Now lately he calls about once a month and is my best friend...

Yep... how times change... and sometimes in a short amount of time..

 

[Twilo123]

U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes summary​

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

only up to May so far