US auto sales in December 2020
US light-vehicle sales ran at a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 16.46 million in December 2020, up 0.63 million (4.0%) from November 2020, and down 3.3% from December 2019. That was the fastest selling pace since February 2020. About 1.61 million new cars and light trucks were sold during the month (actual units, not seasonally adjusted), 6.1% more than in December 2019. Through December, 14.47 million have been sold in 2020, down 14.7% from the same months of 2019. Light trucks — pickups, SUVs, crossovers and vans — made up 77.4% of light-vehicle sales, compared with 73.0% a year earlier.
Sales breakdown
| December 2020 | Value | A year earlier | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light vehicles, SAAR | 16.46M | 17.03M | -3.3% |
| · Cars (autos), SAAR | 3.71M | — | -19.3% |
| · Light trucks, SAAR | 12.75M | — | +2.6% |
| Heavy trucks, SAAR | 447K | 464K | -3.7% |
| Units sold in the month | 1.61M | 1.51M | +6.1% |
| Units sold, year to date | 14.47M | 16.96M | -14.7% |
| US assemblies, cars & light trucks, SAAR | 10.72M | 10.32M | +3.8% |
| Dealer & parts-store sales (month) | $113.5B | — | +8.1% |
SAAR = seasonally adjusted annual rate. Heavy trucks = total vehicle sales minus light vehicles (BEA's definition). Units sold are actual sales in the month, not seasonally adjusted.
Cars vs light trucks
Prices
| CPI, Dec 2020 | 12-mo | 1-mo |
|---|---|---|
| New vehicles | +2.0% | +0.7% |
| Used cars & trucks | +10.0% | -0.9% |
| Maintenance & repair | +3.4% | -0.0% |
Consumer price index for all urban consumers (BLS), not seasonally adjusted; red = costs rising for buyers. The CPI for a month is released mid-way through the next month, so it can trail the sales data.
Over the 12 months to December 2020, according to the consumer price index, new-vehicle prices rose 2.0%, used-car and truck prices rose 10.0% and maintenance and repair costs rose 3.4%.
Financing & inventories
Average finance rate on new-car loans at commercial banks (Federal Reserve G.19), surveyed in the middle month of each quarter; latest 2020-11.
Frequently asked questions
What was the US auto sales SAAR in December 2020?
US light-vehicle sales ran at a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 16.46 million in December 2020, up 0.63 million (4.0%) from November 2020, and down 3.3% from December 2019. That was the fastest selling pace since February 2020.
How many cars were sold in December 2020?
About 1.61 million new cars and light trucks were sold during the month (actual units, not seasonally adjusted), 6.1% more than in December 2019.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (vehicle unit sales), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (consumer prices), Federal Reserve Board (G.19 auto loan rates, G.17 assemblies), U.S. Census Bureau (dealer sales), all via FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Figures are revised by the agencies; this page shows the latest published values. Data checked Nov 6, 5:41 PM ET. Not investment advice.