Report: August New-Vehicle Retail Sales Show Strength Amid Weak Economic Growth and Consumer Uncertainty
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WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif., Aug. 24, 2012 -- The August new-vehicle selling rate is expected to be the highest monthly rate in more than four and one-half years, according to a monthly sales forecast developed by J.D. Power and Associates' Power Information Network® (PIN) and LMC Automotive.
Retail Light-Vehicle Sales
August new-vehicle retail sales are projected to come in at 1,066,200
units, which represents a seasonally adjusted annualized rate (SAAR) of
12.3 million units. The year-over-year growth rate in retail sales
continues a double-digit trend for a fourth consecutive month. Retail
transactions are the most accurate measurement of true underlying consumer
demand for new vehicles.
"August continues this summer's trend of healthy growth in retail sales as dealers work to sell down inventory in time to make room for 2013 models," said John Humphrey, senior vice president of global automotive operations at J.D. Power and Associates. "To date, automakers have been diligent in better balancing production with demand, which has been critical to the improved financial performance for many brands. Going forward, this discipline will be tested as demand looks to cool somewhat through the balance of the year."
While incentives are down slightly in August, compared with July ($106 less per vehicle, on average), there are deals driving some activity as the model-year sell down takes hold. Consumers are pushing aside the economic risks, as the need to replace their current vehicle is matched by availability of both inventory and credit.
Total Light-Vehicle Sales
Total light-vehicle sales remain stable, with the volume in August
expected to come in at 1,285,300 units, a 16 percent increase from August 2011. Fleet represents only 17 percent of
total light-vehicle sales, which is lower than the 21 percent year-to-date
average.
J.D. Power and LMC Automotive U.S. Sales and SAAR Comparisons
|
August 20121 |
July 2012 |
August 2011 |
New-Vehicle Retail Sales |
1,066,200 units (18% higher than August 2011)2 |
969,983 units |
870,365 units |
Total Vehicle Sales |
1,285,300 units (16% higher than August 2011) |
1,151,818 units |
1,069,843 units |
Retail SAAR |
12.3 million units |
11.5 million units |
9.6 million units |
Total SAAR |
14.5 million units |
14.1 million units |
12.1 million units |
1Figures cited for August 2012
are forecasted based on the first 16 selling days of the month.
2The percentage change is adjusted based on the number of
selling days in the month (27 days in August
2012 vs. 26 days in 2011).
Sales Outlook
LMC Automotive recently revised the outlook for total light-vehicle
sales in the United States downward to
14.3 million units from 14.5 million units, with retail sales at 11.4
million units, down from 11.5 million units. Weaker economic growth and
concerns with the European crisis are the driving factors for slower growth
during the second half of the year. The industry is still expected to
achieve the 15-million-unit level in 2013, but the outlook has been
tempered from a projected 15.2 million units, as the risks in 2012 spill
over into next year.
"The strength in August light-vehicle sales takes some of the pressure off expectations for the balance of the year, but a high level of risk lingers," said Jeff Schuster, senior vice president of forecasting at LMC Automotive. "We expect the current seesawing in auto sales to continue for the foreseeable future, but the overall picture in 2012 remains positive."
North American Production
North American light-vehicle production volume has increased by 23
percent through the first seven months this year, compared with the same
period in 2011. The increase of nearly 1.7 million additional vehicles
highlights the industry's recovery from the challenging production
environment in 2011.
Production for Honda and Toyota in the first seven months of 2012 are up
79 percent and 65 percent, respectively, as recovery by both manufacturers
takes hold. U.S. manufacturing growth is outpacing the rest of the North
American region, with a 27 percent year-to-date increase as newer capacity
drives the growth. Production in Mexico
has increased 14 percent, with further growth expected as new key models
ramp up. Canadian manufacturing has increased 20 percent year to date, but
the level of future volume is at risk, as the domestic manufacturers and
CAW begin labor negotiations.
Vehicle inventory in early August declined slightly to a 54-day
supply, compared with 58 days in July. Car inventory remains at a
below-normal level with a 47-day supply, down from 49 days in July. Truck
inventory is at normal levels with a 61-day supply, down from 67 days in
July.
"With the robust production activity outpacing the increases in demand, North American volume is approaching the 15.0-million-unit level for the first time since 2007," said Schuster. "However, given that inventory has normalized and growth in demand is expected to slow, LMC Automotive is holding the forecast for 2012 at 14.9 million units for the year."