Automotive Fleet
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Total 2025 Fleet Sales Hit Post-Pandemic High

Despite healthy gains, commercial and government fleet sales fell for the year while rental car sales proved strongest.

January 6, 2026
December fleet sales increases are illustrated in a green-and-black bar graph chart.

The three fleet segments showed sales gains for the month of December 2025.

Credit: Automotive Fleet

3 min to read


Commercial, rental, and government fleet sales hit a collective post-pandemic high in 2025, recovering from a dip in 2024, according to figures released by Bobit Business Media on Jan. 5. 

2025 fleet sales numbered 2,227,876, up 4.8% over 2,125,441 in 2024. 2025 sales also exceeded the 2,179,751 vehicles sold in 2023.

Ad Loading...

Credit for the recovery goes to rental fleet sales, which reached 1,206,713 cars in 2025, up 16.4% from 1,036,830 in 2024. Rental cars accounted for 54% of total fleet sales in 2025.

The rental segment contrasts sharply with commercial fleet sales, which fell 4% last year. 2025 sales dropped to 781,986 commercial fleet vehicles, down from 814,391 in 2024.

“The commercial segment saw declines in 2025, after post-pandemic pent-up demand had already been satisfied, impacting growth in commercial,” said Zohaib Rahim, senior manager of economic and industry insights for Cox Automotive. “Trade and tariff uncertainty could have caused some of the earlier declines we saw in the segment; however, similar to the rental segment, performance improved the second half of 2025 with the passing of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), but it was not enough of a boost to lead to year-over-year gains in sales.”

One bright spot in the commercial segment was truck sales, which rose 9% year over year, Rahim said. Meanwhile, car volume was down 13% during the same time period and accounted for only 14% of total fleet sales for the year.

Government fleets recorded the lowest sales in 2025, down 12.8% to 239,177 vehicles sold, from 274,220 in 2024.

Ad Loading...

Despite the 2025 uptick, combined fleet sales across the commercial, rental, and government segments lingered below pre-pandemic levels (2019), down around 20% in 2025, Rahim said. He attributed most of the half-decade decline in sales to the rental segment, still below 2019 levels.

December A Good Month For Fleet Segments

While the annual fleet scene was split, all three fleet segments showed sales gains for the month of December 2025, a rarity for the year:

  • Commercial fleet sales rose to 74,543 vehicles from 64,978 in December 2024, up 14.7%.

  • Rental fleet sales barreled up 17.1% for the month, from 92,386 rental cars sold in 2024 to 108,216 vehicles sold last year. 

  • Government fleet vehicles, which fared the worst of the three fleet sectors throughout 2025, ended the year on a stronger note, with 22,242 vehicles sold in December, up 5.8% from 21,031 in December 2024.

That resulted in total December fleet sales of 205,001, up 14.9% from 178,395 fleet vehicles sold in December 2024.

December fleet volume increased 15% year-over-year, with truck sales up 17% for the month compared to last year, Rahim said. Fleet sales continued their positive momentum and gains in December, after increasing 18% year over year in November, he added.

Ad Loading...

2024 Fleet Sales Review

Total U.S. fleet vehicle sales eased by 2.5% in 2024 as OEMs met demand from fleet operations that have since restored fleet sizes after the pandemic, which constricted supply, according to Bobit/Automotive Fleet sales data.

Rental and government fleet vehicles showed slight gains for 2024, which wasn’t enough to offset the larger decline in commercial fleet vehicles sold. 

Rental fleet vehicles comprised almost half of all fleet vehicle sales in 2024.

Across commercial, rental, and government fleets, total sales in 2024 reached 2,125,441 vehicles, up from 2,179,751 in 2023 and 1,698,656 in 2022. That represents a 2.5% decrease over 2023 but a 20% increase over 2022.

Looking ahead to 2026, Cox Automotive anticipates a decline in fleet sales compared with 2025, as slower economic growth limits demand and weakens the commercial and rental segments, Rahim said. “Those also happen to be the largest segments of fleet. Supply should be relatively stable, as the headwinds are demand-driven.”

More Vehicle Research

Two Fiat Topolino models shown on a bluff.
Vehicle Researchby Chris BrownJuly 9, 2026

What Should We Make of the Fiat Topolino?

This atypical low-speed vehicle is coming to the U.S. It's smaller than a Smart Fortwo and starts at $13,995.

Read More →
Graphic announcing the 2026 Autofleet Optimizers Awards winners, featuring headshots of leaders from USPS, DPD UK, Zipcar, Karmo, Dollaride, and Kari Ride Hailing.
Mobilityby News/Media ReleaseJuly 9, 2026

USPS, Zipcar, DPD UK, and Others Named Winners of The Optimizers Awards 2026

USPS, Zipcar, DPD UK, and other fleet organizations were recognized in the 2026 Optimizers Awards for initiatives involving route optimization, automation, AI, and fleet utilization.

Read More →
Green and black bar graphs showing 2026 versus 2025 fleet sales.
Vehicle Researchby Martin RomjueJuly 8, 2026

Commercial Fleet Sales Contribute To June, YTD Gains

The fleet sector has boosted its vehicle purchases at a reliable pace in the first half of this year compared with 1H 2025.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Cherry blossoms frame James Madison University's Atlantic Union Bank Center in Harrisonburg, Virginia, host site for the Mid-Atlantic Advanced Transportation Summit & Expo (MAATSE).
Vehicle Researchby StaffJuly 1, 2026

Mid-Atlantic Advanced Transportation Summit to Explore Fleet Fuels, Infrastructure, and Transportation Innovation

Fleet Forward Conference expands collaboration with Clean Cities organizations as part of a broader effort to connect fleet leaders with emerging transportation technologies and strategies.

Read More →
Graphic featuring an American flag and the text "10 Vehicles That Have Defined American Fleets" with Automotive Fleet branding and a gold "250" anniversary graphic.
Vehicle Researchby Faith HowellJune 30, 2026

America's 250th Birthday: Vehicles That Kept the Country Moving Over the Years

As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, Automotive Fleet looks back at 11 vehicles that helped shape commercial transportation.

Read More →
An Automotive Fleet podcast logo for episode 3
Vehicle ResearchJune 29, 2026

Can AI Really Make Fleet Drivers Safer?

Chris Brown and Wheels rep David Glines discuss how AI is reshaping safety for fleet drivers.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
GMC Sierra in desert
Vehicle Researchby Chris BrownJune 26, 2026

GMC Previews Redesigned 2027 Sierra 1500 with New V8 Engines, Expanded Technology

The next-generation Sierra arrives later this year with new powertrains, a fully redesigned cabin, and trims aimed at the premium end of the full-size pickup segment.

Read More →
Yellow Slate pickup truck on a platform.
Green Fleetby Martin RomjueJune 26, 2026

Slate Debuts Colorful, Unique EV Models

A recent media and client event, studded with electric vehicles dressed up on platforms, planted a new position for the manufacturer in the wider EV market. Fleets will find cost-saving advantages.

Read More →
Yellow Slate Fastback on a raised platform in a warehouse.
Green Fleetby Martin RomjueJune 25, 2026

Slate Electric SUV, Pickup Switchable Model Aims For Light-Duty Fleets

Everything about this EV is counterintuitive and understated, making it stand out from the crowd.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Profile view of Polestar 3
Vehicle Researchby Chris BrownJune 25, 2026

Polestar Barred from U.S. Market Under Connected Vehicle Rule

The automaker loses its authorization to sell new vehicles in the U.S., starting with the 2027 model year. Polestar owners will retain access to the brand's service network.

Read More →