The ongoing recovery in the U.S., combined with steady sales in China, propelled March deliveries to nearly 8.25 million units, the highest monthly total on record.
Shifts in auto makers’ shares and the segment mix last month accompanied a record fuel-economy rating for light vehicles sold in the U.S., as measured by the WardsAuto Fuel-Economy Index.
U.S. sales climbed 15.8%, which combined with Canada and Mexico’s 11.0%-plus increases to give the region a 15.2% gain for the month, compared with year-ago, for a 21% share of global deliveries.
The WardsAuto forecast calls for U.S. auto makers to sell 1.45 million light vehicles this month, lifting the first-quarter SAAR to 14.7 million units, well above industry analysts’ early projections for 2012.
The WardsAuto forecast calls for U.S. auto makers to sell 1.09 million LVs this month, lifting the SAAR to 14 million-plus units for a second consecutive month.