Vehicle sales for the three main fleet sectors showed widely varied results in July.

Commercial fleet sales reversed a months-long trend of declines but remained near flat, rising only 1.1%.

Rental fleet sales, the more potent engine of the year, leaped by 56%, propping up an overall total increase.

Government fleet sales served as the spoiler, sinking 20%.

Combined, the three sectors in July totaled 173,992 fleet vehicles sold, up 17.9% from 147,543 in July 2024, according to Bobit Business Media fleet numbers released on Aug. 4.

July fleet sales by sector were:

• Commercial fleet sales numbered 69,165 vehicles in July compared to 68,410 in July 2024, up 1.1%.

• Rental fleet sales saw the biggest leap to 85,029 vehicles sold, up a whopping 56.2% from 54,439 rental cars sold in July 2024.

• Government fleet sales fell 19.8% last month, from 24,694 vehicles in July 2024 to 19,798 last month. [Government fleet totals included only Ford, GM, Stellantis, and Mazda numbers. The other five major Asian-based automakers did not report any monthly government fleet sales].

The rental fleet surge was barely enough to restore total fleet sales YTD as of July 31 to 1,372,769 vehicles sold, only 582 more than the 1,372,187 vehicles sold in the first seven months of 2024. Statistically, that evened out to a 0% shift, making it an official flatline.

Bobit Business Media (BBM), owner of Automotive Fleet, Vehicle Remarketing, Government Fleet, and Auto Rental News, compiles fleet sales numbers that reflect aggregate figures from the three major Detroit-based auto manufacturers and the Asian Big 6 automakers. The statistics include cars, SUVs, and trucks.