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Vehicle sales in the United States 1978-2018
Vehicle sales in the United States 1978-2018
Light vehicle retail sales in the United States from 1978 to 2018 (in 1,000 units)
by I. Wagner,
last edited
Aug 20, 2019
In 2018, the U.S. auto industry sold about 17.2 million light vehicle units. This figure includes the retail sales of 5.3 million autos and 11.9 million light trucks.
Lower fuel consumption
There are many kinds of light vehicles available in the United States. Light-duty vehicles are popular for their utility and improved fuel economy, making them an ideal choice for savvy consumers. As of 2018, the light vehicle manufacturer with the best overall miles per gallon was Honda with 3.4 gallons of gas required to complete 100 miles on the road.Higher brand satisfaction
When asked about light vehicle satisfaction, consumers in the United States were most satisfied with Volvo, Lexus, and Lincoln models. Another survey quizzing respondents on their stance regarding the leading car brands indicated that Lexus was among the most dependable brands based on the number of problems reported per 100 vehicles.
Light vehicle retail sales in the United States from 1978 to 2018 (in 1,000 units)
Loading statistic...
| Light vehicle sales in thousands | |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 17,213.5 |
| 2013 | 15,530.1 |
| 2008 | 13,194.8 |
| 2003 | 16,639.1 |
| 1998 | 15,543 |
| 1993 | 13,882.7 |
| 1988 | 15,443.2 |
| 1983 | 12,107.1 |
| 1978 | 14,981 |
| Light vehicle sales in thousands | |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 17,213.5 |
| 2013 | 15,530.1 |
| 2008 | 13,194.8 |
| 2003 | 16,639.1 |
| 1998 | 15,543 |
| 1993 | 13,882.7 |
| 1988 | 15,443.2 |
| 1983 | 12,107.1 |
| 1978 | 14,981 |
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by I. Wagner,
last edited
Aug 20, 2019
In 2018, the U.S. auto industry sold about 17.2 million light vehicle units. This figure includes the retail sales of 5.3 million autos and 11.9 million light trucks.
Lower fuel consumption
There are many kinds of light vehicles available in the United States. Light-duty vehicles are popular for their utility and improved fuel economy, making them an ideal choice for savvy consumers. As of 2018, the light vehicle manufacturer with the best overall miles per gallon was Honda with 3.4 gallons of gas required to complete 100 miles on the road.Higher brand satisfaction
When asked about light vehicle satisfaction, consumers in the United States were most satisfied with Volvo, Lexus, and Lincoln models. Another survey quizzing respondents on their stance regarding the leading car brands indicated that Lexus was among the most dependable brands based on the number of problems reported per 100 vehicles.
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- Release date
- February 2019
- Region
- United States
- Survey time period
- 1978 to 2018
- Supplementary notes
-
Monthly figures have been added up.
The values were not seasonally adjusted.
Source
- Show sources information
- As a Premium user you get access to the detailed source references and background information about this statistic.
- Show publisher information
- Release date
- February 2019
More information
- Region
- United States
- Survey time period
- 1978 to 2018
- Supplementary notes
-
Monthly figures have been added up.
The values were not seasonally adjusted.
Other statistics on the topic
U.S. Automotive Industry
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Statistics on "Automotive industry in the U.S."
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- U.S. automobile registrations from 1999 to 2017U.S. automobile registrations 1999-2017
- Revenue from U.S. motor vehicle and parts retail trade between 2000 and 2018 (in billion U.S. dollars)U.S. motor vehicle and parts retail trade - revenue 2000-2018
- U.S. motor vehicle and parts manufacturing gross output from 2005 to 2018 (in billion U.S. dollars)Motor vehicle and parts manufacturing gross output in U.S. 2005-2018
- Real value added of the motor vehicle and parts dealers industry in the U.S. from 2000 to 2018 (in million U.S. dollars)U.S. motor vehicle and parts dealers industry - value added 2000-2018
- Number of motor vehicle and parts dealer establishments in the U.S. from Q1 2004 to Q1 2018 (in 1,000s)U.S. motor vehicle and parts dealer establishments 2004-2018
- Number of employees in the U.S. automotive industry from 2007 to 2019, by sector (in 1,000s)*Automotive industry: number of employees by sector 2007-2019
- Retail price of regular gasoline in the United States from 1990 to 2018 (in U.S. dollars per gallon)*Retail price of gasoline in the United States 1990-2018
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The most important statistics
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- Total number of licensed drivers in the U.S. in 2017, by stateLicensed drivers in the U.S. - total number by state 2017
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- Most economical U.S. states to own a car as of 2018 (in U.S. dollars)*Most economical U.S. states to own a car 2018
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- Passenger car production in the United States from 1999 to 2018 (in 1,000 units)Passenger car production in the United States 1999-2018
- Light vehicle production from 2016 to 2024, by major market (in million units)Light vehicle production forecast - major regions 2016-2024
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- United States light vehicle sales in December 2018, by type (in 1,000s)United States vehicle sales December 2018
- U.S. car sales from 1951 to 2018 (in units)U.S. car sales 1951-2018
- The best-selling cars in the United States in 2018 (based on unit sales)Best-selling cars in the United States 2018
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- Toyota's revenue in FY 2019, by region (in million Japanese yen)*Toyota revenue by region 2019
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- Best car brands for initial quality in the United States as of August 2019, based on problems per 100 vehicles*Car quality: best brands as ranked by U.S. new car owners 2019
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- U.S. auto aftermarket e-tailing market size in 2013 and 2023, by segment (in billion U.S. dollars)Auto aftermarket e-tailing market size in the U.S. 2013/2023
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Statistics on "Automotive industry in the U.S."
- Total number of existing and new car models offered in the U.S. market from 2000 to 2019
- U.S. automobile registrations from 1999 to 2017
- Revenue from U.S. motor vehicle and parts retail trade between 2000 and 2018 (in billion U.S. dollars)
- U.S. motor vehicle and parts manufacturing gross output from 2005 to 2018 (in billion U.S. dollars)
- Real value added of the motor vehicle and parts dealers industry in the U.S. from 2000 to 2018 (in million U.S. dollars)
- Number of motor vehicle and parts dealer establishments in the U.S. from Q1 2004 to Q1 2018 (in 1,000s)
- Number of employees in the U.S. automotive industry from 2007 to 2019, by sector (in 1,000s)*
- Retail price of regular gasoline in the United States from 1990 to 2018 (in U.S. dollars per gallon)*
- Projected U.S. vehicle age from 2017 to 2019 (in years)
- Projected U.S. vehicle scrappage rate from 2017 to 2019
- U.S. car sales in 2018, by key state (in units)
- U.S. light truck sales in 2018, by key state (in units)
- Total number of licensed drivers in the U.S. in 2017, by state
- U.S. automobile registrations in 2017, by state
- Number of registered automobiles in California 2017, by type
- Most economical U.S. states to own a car as of 2018 (in U.S. dollars)*
- Most expensive U.S. states to own a car as of 2018 (in U.S. dollars)*
- Largest automobile markets worldwide between January and December 2018, based on new car registrations (in 1,000s)
- Vehicle production in the NAFTA region from 1990 to 2018 (in million units)
- Passenger car production in the United States from 1999 to 2018 (in 1,000 units)
- Light vehicle production from 2016 to 2024, by major market (in million units)
- North American light vehicle production outlook from 2013 to 2025 (in million units)
- Sales of passenger cars in selected countries worldwide from 2005 to 2018 (in million units)
- Light vehicle retail sales in the United States from 1978 to 2018 (in 1,000 units)
- United States light vehicle sales in December 2018, by type (in 1,000s)
- U.S. car sales from 1951 to 2018 (in units)
- The best-selling cars in the United States in 2018 (based on unit sales)
- Projected light vehicle sales in the United States from 2019 to 2025 (in million units)
- Light vehicle sales in the United States between 2017 and 2018, by manufacturer (in units)
- Market share held by selected automobile manufacturers in the United States in 2018
- General Motors Company's sales and revenue streams in FY 2018, by region (in billion U.S. dollars)
- Ford's revenue in FY 2018, by main region (in billion U.S. dollars)
- Toyota's revenue in FY 2019, by region (in million Japanese yen)*
- U.S. car owners' perception of the most reliable car brands as of October 2018 (index score)
- Most dependable car brands in the United States as of December 2017, based on problems per 100 vehicles*
- Best car brands for initial quality in the United States as of August 2019, based on problems per 100 vehicles*
- Selected North American automotive suppliers in 2018, based on OEM automotive parts sales (in million U.S. dollars)
- Size of the U.S. automotive aftermarket from 2008 to 2020 (in billion U.S. dollars)
- Estimated size of the U.S. automotive parts aftermarket in 2013 and 2025, by segment (in billion U.S. dollars)
- U.S. auto aftermarket e-tailing market size in 2013 and 2023, by segment (in billion U.S. dollars)
- Light vehicle retail sales in the United States from 1st quarter 2013 to 4th quarter 2018 (in 1,000 units)
- U.S. vehicle unit retail sales in the United States in 2018 (in 1,000 units)
- Leading commercial vehicle manufacturers in China in 2018, by number of vehicles sold (in 1,000s)
- Regional distribution of passenger car sales in China in 2010, by sales volume
- Leading motor vehicle manufacturers in Japan in August 2016, by sales (in 1,000 units)
- Share of vehicles imported to China from 2009 to 2011, by luxury and non-luxury brands
- Number of Lancia cars registered in Italy from 2013 to 2017
- Average age of vehicles on roads in Canada from 1990 to 2016
- Leading markets for U.S. exports of new passenger vehicles and light trucks from 2009 to 2011 (in units)
- The fifteen provinces with the highest internet searches for the automobile industry on the search engine Baidu in 2011
- Share of sold imported vehicles in China in 2011, by tier cities*
- Best cars to own in Great Britain (UK) in 2016, based on build quality scores
- Number of light vehicles in operation in Illinois in 2016, by body style (in units)
- Growth rates of the revenue of websites for cars in China from 2007 to 2013* (compared to the previous year)
- Number of stolen passenger cars in the Italian region of Aosta Valley from 2015 to 2017
- Number of exempt vehicles licensed in New Zealand from 2010 to 2018, by licensing period
- Number of special vehicles in use in Italy in 2015, by geographic areas
- Number of recovered passenger cars in the Italian region of Lazio in 2015 and 2016
- Number of diesel cars in the Italian region of Sardinia from 2014 to 2017
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Related topics
- U.S. Automotive Industry
- Automotive Industry
- Automotive Industry in Japan
- Automotive Industry in India
- Automotive Industry in Indonesia
- Car Brands
- Automotive Industry in China: Imports and Exports
- Automotive Industry in China: Sales
- Automotive Industry in Brazil
- Automotive Industry in China: Manufacturing
- Automotive Advertising
- The UK Automotive Industry
- Automotive Industry in the MENA region
- Automotive Industry in the Asia-Pacific Region
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