Automotive Fleet
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Calif. New-Vehicle Registrations Fall for the Fifth Straight Quarter

The California new-vehicle market declined for the fifth consecutive quarter during the period ending in June, providing further proof that the market has plateaued after several years of big increases.

by Gregory Arroyo
August 29, 2018
Calif. New-Vehicle Registrations Fall for the Fifth Straight Quarter

California new-vehicle registrations have fallen for five consecutive quarters.

Chart courtesy of California New Car Dealers Association.

2 min to read


The California new-vehicle market declined for the fifth consecutive quarter during the period ending in June, providing further proof that the market has plateaued after several years of big increases, according to the California New Car Dealers Association.

New-vehicle registrations in the second quarter fell 1.1% from the year-ago period to 514,773 registrations. Through June, 2018 new-vehicle registrations fell 2.2% from the year-ago period to 1.027 million, which is what the trade group predicted after new light vehicle registrations fell 3.4% from the year-ago period. The association predicts the market will end 2018 at around 2 million new-vehicle registrations.

Ad Loading...

"We are encouraged that California vehicle sales are on track to reach about 2 million for 2018," said Taz Harvey, the association's chairman. "While the market continues to shift in types of vehicles sold, we are experiencing consistent buyer behavior geared more toward larger vehicles. This increased demand continues to demonstrate consumer interest in purchasing larger, more convenient, family-friendly vehicles to meet their transportation needs."

Trucks own 54.1% of the market, with first-half registrations climbing 5.6% from the year-ago period to 514.470. In contrast, first-half passenger car registrations fell 10.1% from the year-ago period to 512,826. The market’s first-half performance is on par with the rest of the country, which registered a 7.7% increase in light truck registrations through June and a 12.1% increase in passenger car registrations, according to the association.

The trend toward trucks is also reflected on the regional level — more so in Southern California, where light truck registrations increased 6.1% to 285,060 through June, and passenger car sales decreased 11.1% to 300,791. In Northern California, first-half light truck registrations increased 3.7% to 161,994 percent, while passenger car registrations fell 10% to 137,584.  

The association's report also showed that electric and plug-in hybrid vehicle segments continue to gain ground, with new-vehicle registrations increasing 10.2% in the first half compared to the prior-year period. Looking closer at the data, plug-ins and electric vehicle sales were both up more than 1.4% combined through June. Hybrid sales, however, continued their long downward trend, with first-half registrations inching down 0.4% from a year ago to 40,011.

By brand, sales increased by more than 10% for six brands, with Toyota once again leading the way a 17% share of the market in the first half and the Honda Civic coming in as the best-selling model with registrations totaling 43,857. On the truck side, the Ford F-Series led the way through June with registrations totaling 26,336.

Ad Loading...

Editor's note: This story first appeared on F&I and Showroom, a companion publication.

More Vehicle Research

Graphic featuring EMKAY headquarters and 80th anniversary display with text reading “From Then to Now: 80 Years of EMKAY.”
Vehicle Researchby Faith HowellMay 26, 2026

Emkay Through the Years: 80 Years of Innovation & Partnership

From vintage office photos and early dealership roots to modern fleet technology and an 80th anniversary celebration, this gallery traces Emkay's journey across generations.

Read More →
Interior dashboard view of a Volvo EV featuring Google Maps navigation and infotainment display during a demo of upcoming Gemini AI vehicle integration.

Volvo, Google Preview AI-Powered In-Car Navigation Features

Gemini integration and new Google Maps immersive navigation tools are slated for upcoming Volvo EV models, including the EX60.

Read More →
An obit image of fleet hall of famer Ray Breault next to a black square with the text of his birth and death dates.
Vehicle Researchby Faith HowellMay 20, 2026

Automotive Fleet Hall of Fame Inductee Ray Breault Passes at 95

Ray Breault, a former NAFA president and longtime fleet leader whose career spanned nearly 60 years, died May 1 at age 95. Breault was inducted into the Automotive Fleet Hall of Fame in 2008 and was widely recognized for his contributions to the fleet management profession.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Close-up of the 2027 Volkswagen ID. Buzz side window with quilted privacy shades and integrated side mirror camera parked outdoors.

The 2027 Volkswagen Lineup

Volkswagen recently released details on the 2027 lineup, which includes a variety of new features for the vehicles.

Read More →
Gray 2026 Kia EV6 electric crossover driving on a desert highway at sunset with mountains and Joshua trees in the background.

2026 Kia EV6 Arrives With Lower Pricing, New Charging Features

Kia lowered pricing for the 2026 EV6 lineup while adding standard charging equipment, Plug & Charge capability, and updated color options.

Read More →
Blue BMW iX3 electric SUV parked on a reflective surface with mountain scenery in the background at dusk.

2027 BMW iX3 Starts at $61,500 With Up to 434 Miles of Range

BMW priced the 2027 iX3 50 xDrive at $61,500 and said the new EV SUV will offer up to 434 miles of range, 800V fast charging, and a new-generation operating system when deliveries begin in September.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
YouTube thumbnail with a dark blue, high-contrast corporate design featuring a smiling young woman on the left pointing upward. Large bold text on the right reads: ‘HOW FLEETS ARE DOING MORE WITH LESS IN 2026.’ Smaller header text at the top says ‘WEEKLY CHEAT SHEET.’ Along the bottom are three blue-and-white icons labeled ‘TRENDS,’ ‘INSIGHTS,’ and ‘STRATEGIES.’
Vehicle Researchby Faith HowellMay 18, 2026

How Fleets Are Doing More with Less in 2026 | AF News Recap

In this news recap, host Faith Howell covers the ethics of AI, replacement delays, and how one company is streamlining uptime.

Read More →
SponsoredMay 15, 2026

Hybrids: Electrification Without the Challenges

For fleet managers, fuel is one of the biggest line items in the budget — and it's one hybrids can shrink without changing how your people work. Download the eBook to see the numbers, understand the technology, and get a step-by-step guide to making the switch.

Read More →
A graphic including Emkay's building celebrating 80 years in fleet.
Vehicle Researchby StaffMay 13, 2026

Inside Emkay's 80th Anniversary Celebration [Watch]

EMKAY recently celebrated a major milestone: 80 years in the fleet industry.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Cover of a whitepaper titled “The Hidden Costs of Departmentally Assigned Vehicles on Your Fleet” featuring a black fleet vehicle driving on a road at sunset. Subheadline reads: “Discover how your fleet can reduce costs and minimize risk by implementing vehicle sharing.” The document focuses on fleet optimization, vehicle sharing, cost reduction, utilization tracking, and risk management for fleet operations.
SponsoredMay 13, 2026

Why Fleet Managers Are Replacing Departmental Vehicles with Shared Motor Pools

Departmentally assigned vehicles often create hidden costs through underutilization, poor visibility, and increased administrative burden. This white paper explores how shared motor pool strategies help fleets reduce costs, improve accountability, and optimize vehicle utilization.

Read More →