USA March 2022: Market down -23.8%, Q1 off -15.7%, Jeep (-2.2%), Mazda (-1.2%), Tesla (+76.6%) defy gloom

Jeep Grand Cherokee sales are up 36.1% in a market down -15.7%

According to Wards Auto, new light vehicle sales are estimated to fall a ghastly -23.8% year-on-year in March to just 1.22 million units, bringing the Q1 2022 tally down -15.7% to 3,318,789 according to Automotive News. The seasonally adjusted annualised rate of sales (SAAR) is down an equally tough -26.3% to 13.33 million units vs. 14.15 million last month and 18.08 million in March 2021.

In the groups ranking over Q1 2022, Toyota Motor (-14.7%) confirms it is the new favourite of U.S. consumers after ending in 2021 the 90-year long domination of General Motors (-20.4%), knocked down to 2nd place over the Quarter. Ford Motor (-17.1%) falls a little faster than the market whereas Stellantis (-13.6%) does the reverse but the best performer near the top is Hyundai-Kia losing only -3.7%. Below, American Honda (-23.2%), Nissan Motor/Mitsubishi (-27.5%) and Subaru (-17.5%) underperform while Tesla (+76.6%) ignores the surrounding gloom with a stellar year-on-year gain.

The Mazda CX-50 lands in the USA charts this month.

Brand-wise still over Q1 2022, Toyota (-14.9%) holds onto the top spot ahead of Ford (-16.7%), Chevrolet (-19.9%) and Honda (-23%) all struggling. Jeep (-2.2%) resists extremely well in the current context and edges up one spot on a year ago to #5, overtaking Nissan (-28.8%) in freefall. Hyundai (-4.5%) and Kia (-5.2%) also resist with Ram (-15.2%) and Subaru (-17.5%) rounding out the Top 10 close to the market evolution. Just outside, GMC (-7.5%) stays at #11 but holds itself rather well, Tesla (+76.6%) is up to #12 with Mazda (-1.2%) almost stable and BMW (+3.2%) even managing a year-on-year gain at #15. Maserati (+33.8%), Rolls Royce (+18.2%), Bentley (+12%) and Mini (+9.4%) also score year-on-year gains while Mitsubishi (-6.5%) is sturdy. We welcome Rivian (#35), Polestar (#40), Lucid (#42) and Karma (#43) in the Quarterly charts.

Over in the models charts, the Ford F-Series (-31%) retains its crown but is still handicapped by stock issues, seeing its margin over #2 the Ram Pickup (-14.6%) thaw from 55,000 over Q1 2021 to just 13,600 over Q1 2022. 6,000 units below is the Chevrolet Silverado (-4.3%) managing an impressive single-digit drop. The Toyota RAV4 (-11.4%) easily keeps its SUV pole position but the ranking for the segment is reshuffled over the period. The Jeep Grand Cherokee (+36.1%) surges 10 spots on Q1 2021 to land at a record 5th place thanks to the new generation, distancing the Toyota Highlander (+3.4%) also up year-on-year and up 5 ranks on the same period in 2021. #2 SUV for the past few years, the Honda CR-V (-37.5%) falls to #4 in the segment and #8 overall.

99 units of the GMC Hummer EV found a buyer in the US in Q1 2022.

The Toyota Camry (-21.3%) remains the #1 car in the country and the only one in the Top 12 as the Toyota Corolla (-34.5%) drops below the Tesla Model 3 (+103.4%). The GMC Sierra (-10%) and Chevrolet Equinox (-11.4%) round out the Top 10, both overtaking the Toyota Tacoma (-20%). The Tesla Model Y (+32.9%) is estimated to gain 10 spots to #12. Notice also the Mazda CX-5 (+24.3%), Honda HR-V (+61.1%), Hyundai Tucson (+19.6%), Nissan Altima (+19.6%), Subaru Crosstrek (+6.5%) and Ford Bronco Sport (+24.5%) scoring YoY upticks in the remainder of the Top 30. As for recent launches, the Ford Bronco dominates at #40, followed by the Ford Maverick (#52), VW Taos (#72), Toyota Corolla Cross (#85), Hyundai Santa Cruz (#105) and Jeep Wagoneer (#114). Notice also the RIvian R1T at #225, the BMW iX at #251, the Polestar 2 at #256 the GMC Hummer EV Pickup at #266 and the Mazda CX-50 at #269.

Previous month: USA February 2022: Hyundai (+8.5%), Mazda (+8.3%), Genesis (+45%) ignore market down -10%

One year ago: USA March 2021: Market bounces back up 60%, Toyota #1 brand over Q1

Full March 2022 data for selected groups, brands and models below.

Full Q1 2020 Top 15 groups, Top 43 brands and Top 305 models below.