Based on a preliminary estimate from AutoData, light vehicle sales were at a 17.1 million SAAR in January.



That is down 1.2% from January 2017, and down 3.8% from last month.





Click on graph for larger image.



This graph shows the historical light vehicle sales from the BEA (blue) and an estimate for January (red, light vehicle sales of 17.12 million SAAR from AutoData).



This was below the consensus forecast of 17.3 million for January.



Note that the increase in sales at the end of 2017 was due to buying following the hurricanes.



Sales will probably decline again in 2018 after setting a new sales records in both 2015 and 2016.



The second graph shows light vehicle sales since the BEA started keeping data in 1967.



Note: dashed line is current estimated sales rate.