THE CAR AND TRUCK FLEET AND LEASING MANAGEMENT MAGAZINE
Sales of vehicles to commercial fleets surged in September even as several automakers reported sharply lower overall sales during the month.
Commercial fleet sales increased 9.9% in August, while government sales fell 15.3% and daily rental sales increased 44.7%.
Commercial fleet sales rebounded in July with a 29.8% increase to 66,909 from a year ago. Sales of trucks, vans, and SUVs paced the gain, while sales of cars again saw a heavy decline, according to Automotive Fleet data.
Commercial fleet sales cooled off in June with a 0.5% decline, while daily rental sales increased 10.5% and sales to governments fell 13.1%.
Commercial fleet sales continued their torrid spring, increasing 12.3% in May after increasing 11.2% in April. Year-to-date sales are now 7.8% ahead of the first five months of 2018, according to Automotive Fleet data.
Sales to corporate fleets increased 11.2%, while sales to government agencies and rental fleets fell 0.3% and 6.5% respectively.
March sales to commercial fleets increased 11.1%, while sales to government agencies increased 7.3%. Sales into daily rental increased 5.3%.
Sales of vehicles to commercial fleets declined 1.7% in February, while sales to government agencies increased 2.4%. Sales to daily rental increased 5.3%.
In January, sales to commercial fleets fell 1.9%, while sales to daily rental increased 16.1%. Sales to government agencies increased 5.7%.
Sales of vehicles to commercial fleets from eight manufactures increased 8.8% to 743,210 in 2018, even with a weaker December, on the strength of sales of trucks, SUVs, and vans that accounted for nearly nine units out of every 10 sold.