USA June 2017: Market down 3% for 6th consecutive month of decline

The Chevrolet Equinox shoots up 49% to #10, symbolising the U.S. rush to crossovers.

* See the Top 15 groups, Top 40 brands and Top 289 models by clicking on the title *

It’s a sixth consecutive month of decline for new light vehicle sales in the U.S. with 2017 yet to see a positive month. June is down 3% year-on-year to 1.474.041 units, pulling the year-to-date tally down 2.1% to 8.452.134. The weakness of passenger cars we’ve seen for the past couple of years accentuates this month with a harsh 13.2% decline to 540.590 units. In the detail, midsize cars are down 14.3% to 230.061, small cars down 15.9% to 228.289, luxury cars down 0.8% to 82.158 and large cars down 56.1% to just 82. The picture in the light truck segment is almost diametrically opposed: up 4.2% to 933.451 or a record 63.3% share. The SUV/Crossover combination continues to outsell passenger cars, something that never happened before this year, up 5.4% to 599.500. In the detail, crossovers are up 7% to 447.501, SUVs up 1% to 151.999 and pickups up 5.6% to 240.732.

The Atlas is already Volkswagen’s best-selling truck in the U.S. 

All Detroit Three carmakers lose more market share this month as they all drop faster than the market: General Motors reclaims the top spot but drops 4.7%, Ford Motor is down 5% and FCA down 7%. In contrast, the “Japan Three” all gain volume: Toyota Motor is up 2.1%, Nissan Motor up 2% and Honda Motor up 0.8%. Hyundai-Kia tumbles down 14.9% but the Volkswagen Group is up 10.1%.

Brand-wise, 6 in the Top 10 post declines, starting with market leader Ford down 5.4%, Chevrolet down 6.4%, Honda down 1.3%, Jeep down 11%, Kia down 10.3% and Hyundai down 21.7%. Toyota bucks the trend with a splendid 7% gain, Nissan is up 1.2%, Subaru posting the largest gain in the Top 10 at +11.7% and Ram up 6%. Further down, notice Volkswagen up 15%, Buick up 16.4%, Acura up 23.7%, Infiniti up 11% and Tesla up 25.8%. Alfa Romeo is up 28-fold (!) thanks to the Giulia and Stelvio.

The Chrysler Pacifica breaks into the U.S. Top 30 

Still ultra-dominant in the models ranking, the Ford F-Series increases its advantage over its followers with a 10% year-on-year gain, signing its fourth consecutive month above 70.000 sales. The Chevrolet Silverado, outsold for three straight months by the Ram Pickup, reclaims the 2nd spot in June, gaining 2%, while the Ram is up 5% to third place. The Toyota RAV4 (+25%) posts another stellar month – its fourth straight above 30.000 sales – ahead of the Nissan Rogue (+11%) once again very impressive at #5. The Toyota Corolla leads passenger cars at #6 above the Honda Civic and Accord while the traditional leader, the Toyota Camry (-10%), awaiting the new generation, is relegated to #9 overall. The Chevrolet Equinox, shooting up 49%, is inside the Top 10 for the first time since April 2015. The Chrysler Pacifica continues to climb, reaching a record #30 and 12.399 sales, the Toyota C-HR is up 32 spots on May to #118 and the VW Atlas is up 28 to #132 and already the brand’s best-selling SUV.

Previous month: USA May 2017: Market down 0.5% despite strong light truck sales

One year ago: USA June 2016: Trucks pull market up 2% but SAAR is down

Full June 2017 Top 15 groups, Top 40 brands and Top 289 models below.