NADA is forecasting new vehicle sales of 16.7 million units in 2018, a decline of about 2.9% from the 17.2 million sales in 2017.
Sales forecasts are based on a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of sales. The past three years have been great years for new vehicles, with 2015 sales of 17.4 million, 2016 sales of 18.1 million and 2017 sales of 17.2 million units.
NADA expects the vehicle segment mix to continue favoring light trucks in 2018, representing about 65% of the total. Several manufactures will be launching new products in 2018 to meet the demands of light truck consumers. Many of these launches will be in segments that manufactures have never competed in. Subaru for example is launching the Ascent, their first seven passenger crossover SUV.
NADA is forecasting 15.3 million used vehicles in 2018 for new car dealerships. A 1.3% increase over 2017. The total retail market for used cars is forecast to exceed 40 million in 2018.
Source NADA
