Sales of vehicles to commercial fleets from nine manufacturers remained robust in October, increasing 16.6% to 63,232 over the prior year amid a softening of car sales.

Year-to-date sales also remain strong, as manufacturers have sold 10.5% more vehicles (679,477) to commercial buyers compared to the first 10 months of 2018, according to Automotive Fleet data.

Sales of trucks, vans, and SUVs continue to drive fleet sales with a 21.4% monthly increase from a year ago (to 58,087) and a 12.9% increase year to date (to 614,390). Sales of cars fell 19.2% (to 5,145) on a monthly basis and 8% (to 65,087) year to date.

Meanwhile, sales to government agencies and daily rental companies were sharply lower.

Sales to government fleets from five manufacturers fell 10.3% to 19,164 for the month. Truck-based sales fell 7.7% to 16,804, while car sales declined 25.1% to 2,360. Year to date sales fell 5.1% (to 214,873) with trucks down 3.1% (183,612) and cars down 15.7% (31,261).

Sales into daily rental declined 22.5% (to 99,813) in October with car sales down 48.2% (to 34,655) and truck category sales up 5.3% (to 65,148). For the year, sales are 3.2% higher (1.44 million) with trucks up 6.3% to 930,629 and cars down 1.6% to 564,208.

Fleet sales in the three segments fell 10.8% to 182,209 in October with a 9.5% increase in the truck category (140,039) and a 44.8% decline in car sales (42,170). Through 10 months, fleet sales have increased 4.3% over 2018 to 2.38 million. Truck, van, and SUV sales are 7.5% higher to 1.72 million, while car sales are 3% lower to 660,556.