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

Johan Verbois, executive director of CARA, stands outdoors in a blue blazer with arms crossed, with blurred vehicles and greenery in the background.
Remarketingby News/Media ReleaseApril 27, 2026

CARA Appoints Johan Verbois as Executive Director

CARA recently opened up a part-time executive director position and appointed Johan Verbois for the role.

Read More →
Subaru electric SUV driving along a coastal highway at sunset, representing the 2027 Getaway with three-row seating and all-electric performance.
Vehicle Researchby News/Media ReleaseApril 22, 2026

Subaru Unveils New Electric SUV, a Three-Row 2027 Subaru Getaway

Subaru introduces the all-electric 2027 Getaway, a three-row SUV with 420 hp, over 300 miles of range, and fast-charging capability, expanding its EV lineup.

Read More →
Vehicle Researchby StaffApril 21, 2026

GM Envolve Changes Name to GM Fleet

The GM Fleet name aligns to how customers identify us and it also helps with discoverability, the company said.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Electric vehicle charging in a home garage with wall-mounted charging and energy systems, illustrating WEX EV At-Home fraud protection and fleet charging verification technology.
Vehicle Researchby News/Media ReleaseApril 21, 2026

WEX Launches Solution to Close EV At-Home Charging Visibility Gap

At NAFA I&E 2026, WEX debuted an EV solution that adds a layer of verification to help fleets track, validate, and trust every at-home charging dollar.

Read More →
Mechanic working under a car hood with diagnostic tool; overlay text reads “Fleet repair isn’t too expensive. It’s unpredictable.” highlighting cost uncertainty in fleet maintenance.
Vehicle ResearchApril 20, 2026

The Hidden Pain in Fleet Repair

BBM research insights reveal that budget headaches might be less about costs than fleet pros think.

Read More →
Silver Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV driving on a winding mountain road, showcasing updated exterior design and performance in a scenic landscape.
Vehicle Researchby News/Media ReleaseApril 16, 2026

The New Mercedes-Benz GLE Brings More Power and Intelligence

Mercedes-Benz updates the 2027 GLE with revised powertrains, expanded electrification, updated suspension systems, and a new software platform, while retaining its core SUV lineup and capabilities.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Portrait of Art Kinsman, newly appointed NETS Chief Strategy Officer, smiling in a suit jacket against a neutral background.
Vehicle Researchby News/Media ReleaseApril 16, 2026

NETS Appoints Art Kinsman as Chief Strategy Officer

The Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS) has tapped Art Kinsman for a new leadership role as Chief Strategy Officer.

Read More →
Vehicle Researchby StaffApril 15, 2026

Agero Aquires Urgently

Agero is acquiring Urgently, combining two tech-driven roadside assistance providers. The deal expands AI-powered dispatch, data capabilities, and service scale across fleet and mobility markets.

Read More →
Teaser image of 2027 Nissan Rogue Hybrid e-POWER, a dark SUV with LED lighting, representing Nissan’s new series hybrid with dual-motor AWD and no plug-in charging.

2027 Nissan Rogue Hybrid e‑POWER's Technology Explained

Nissan's hybrid powertrain with dual-motor all-wheel drive adds refinement and updated driving characteristics in the Rogue.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Side profile of a dark Volkswagen Atlas SUV in a studio setting with blue lighting, highlighting updated design and exterior styling.

All-new 2027 Volkswagen Atlas debuts at the New York International Auto Show

Volkswagen revealed the redesigned 2027 Atlas, featuring updated styling, new in-cabin technology, and a more powerful turbocharged engine ahead of its launch later this year.

Read More →