Sales of light vehicles totaled 14.8 million at an annual rate in July, down from a 15.4 million pace in June. The July decline was the second consecutive month below the 16 to 18 million range and the slowest pace since the recovery from the lockdown-induced plunge in 2020 (see top of first chart). Unit sales plunged in March and April 2020 to 11.2 million and 8.6 million annual rates, respectively. The pace of sales in April 2020 was the lowest on record since this data series began in 1976 and follows a run of 72 months in the 16 to 18 million range from March 2014 through February 2020.
Breaking down sales by origin of assembly, sales of domestic vehicles fell to 11.0 million units versus 11.5 million in June, a drop of 4.8 percent, while imports fell to 3.76 million versus 3.85 million in June, a drop of 2.1 percent. The domestic share came in at 74.5 percent in July versus 75.0 in June (see bottom of first chart).
A computer chip shortage has disrupted production for many manufacturers, creating a scarcity for many models, leading to lower inventory and higher prices. Both factors may have contributed to the slower sales pace in July. The lack of chips is showing some signs of easing, but it may take some time for conditions to return to normal.
Ward’s estimate of unit auto inventory came in at 209,500 in June, the lowest on record (see second chart). The Bureau of Economic Analysis estimates the inventory-to-sales ratio has fallen to a record low 0.804 for June (see second chart).
The plunging inventory levels are helping push prices higher. The average consumer expenditure for a car was $29,587 in June while the average consumer expenditure on a light truck rose to $45,650 (see third chart). The June levels represent 12-month gains of 12.5 percent and 11.7 percent, respectively, with both at record highs.
As a share of disposable personal income per capita, average consumer expenditures on a car jumped to 54.6 percent versus just 41.4 percent in March 2021 while the average consumer expenditure on a light truck as a share of disposable personal income per capita jumped to 84.2 percent versus 64.3 percent as recently as March 2021 (see third chart).
The post Unit Auto Sales Fell in July as Inventories Plunge and Prices Jump was first published by the American Institute for Economic Research (AIER), and is republished here with permission. Please support their efforts.
