October inventory levels portend a combination of increased market spiffs and production cuts as the industry adjusts to flattening demand after seven years of growth.

Year-to-date volume lags 2015 for the first time this year, but should rebound above last year in November.

Increased price discounting led to a rise in July retail sales, reversing the softness recorded in June.

How GM, Ford and Toyota react to the downturn – whether streamlining production, raising market incentives or a combination of both – could determine the year’s final outcome.

May’s import penetration of 22% brought the year-to-date share to 21.6%, the period’s highest in four years.

Growth in the past two months has been in sectors where a lot of volume goes into commercial fleets and for work-related purposes.

April’s SAAR is likely to spike upward from March, but because it is a rarity for two consecutive months to have more selling days than normal, averaging the totals for both months will be best to judge the period’s results.

Small vans continued their resurgence as February deliveries jumped 33.7% above year-ago with nearly every vehicle posting hefty gains.