USA April 2025: Pre-tariff rush lifts market up 10%

Ford Maverick sales are up 67.1% year-on-year in April.

Estimated US new light vehicle volumes in April come in at 1,465,000 units, up 10% on April 2024. Sales of the 7 OEMs reporting monthly figures are up 13.6% for the month and up 6.6% year-to-date. Since April 3, the US has imposed a 25% tariff on all light vehicles imports and car buyers have been paying attention, pulling forward their purchase in order to avoid potentially higher prices. According to Motor Intelligence, the SAAR for the month stands at 17.3 million, just below the 17.8 million of March which was the highest in four years. It is also the first back-to-back 17 million+ SAARs since 2020.

Among OEMs still reporting sales monthly, American Honda (+18.1%) fares best ahead of Hyundai-Kia and Ford Motor (both +16.3%) and Toyota (+10%). Brand-wise, all the ones reporting are in positive, with Subaru (+0.3%), Volvo (+5.2%) and Toyota (+7.9%) the weakest and only ones in single digits. Lincoln (+40%), Acura (+33%), Lexus (+23.5%) and Mazda (+21%) impress the most, with Hyundai (+18.8%), Honda (+16.6%) and Ford (+15.1%) also strong. Note Ford ends the month just 1,773 units below Toyota.

Looking at models with available monthly data, the Ford F-Series (+12.7%) flies off to almost 73,000 sales, while the Honda CR-V (+28.7%) teases its rival the Toyota RAV4 (+7.4%) only 474 units short. The Toyota Tacoma (+45.3%) continues to recover, just as the Hyundai Tucson (+40.6%), Ford Maverick (+67.1%), Bronco (+73.2%), Bronco Sport (+54.8%), Expedition (+41%), Toyota Sienna (+72.1%) and Mazda CX-50 (+48.4%) all impress.

Previous post: USA March/Q1 2025: General Motors soars 17% in market spurred by last minute sales rush

One year ago: USA April 2024: Toyota (+15.2%), Lincoln (+24.2%) impress in negative market

Full April 2025 sales for OEMs, brands and models still reporting monthly below.