Light Vehicle Sales Increased to 16.4 Million SAAR in September

Note: Heavy truck sales will not be available from the BEA during the shutdown.

Omida reported that light vehicle sales were at 16.4 million in September on a seasonally adjusted annual rate basis (SAAR).

This was up 2% from the sales rate in August, and up 4% from September 2024.

Click on graph for larger image.

This graph shows light vehicle sales since 2006 from the BEA (blue) through July (red).

Vehicle sales were over 17 million SAAR in March and April as consumers rushed to “beat the tariffs”.

Then sales were depressed in May and June.

Sales were boosted in August and September due to the termination of the EV credit at the end of September.

The second graph shows light vehicle sales since the BEA started keeping data in 1967.

Sales in September were above the consensus forecast of 16.2 million SAAR.

A solid September was expected, but there is concern about sales in Q4. Earlier, from Haig Stoddard at Omdia (pay site): US Light Vehicle Sales in September Tracking to Another Gain as Auto Industry Casts a Wary Eye on 4Q

September US light-vehicle sales will continue the market strength seen all year, but all eyes are on the fourth quarter as tariff-related pull-ahead volume dissipates, EV credits disappear, and automakers price their ’26 models.