Sales of CUVs declined year-over-year for only the second time since February 2012

WardsAuto is lowering its 2017 U.S. light-vehicle sales forecast to 17.1 million units.

April marked the second straight month that some previously strong truck segments recorded slower demand on a year-over-year basis.

How GM and Toyota deal with their excess inventory could determine whether a fire sale happens.

There are more signs of weakness in trucks, with growth consolidating more in the midsize CUV sector from the low-end to the premium-priced vehicles.

Including other factors, record-high February U.S. inventory could mean stronger sales in March vs. the first two months of 2017.

Year-to-date 2017 light-vehicle sales are 1.4% below year-ago, but on target with WardsAuto’s forecast of 17.3 million for the entire year.

Despite an expected sales downturn, production will rise in 2017 due to added capacity and increased export output.

Among automakers, how market leader General Motors deals with rising inventory will have the biggest impact on whether February sales rise or fall.

An indicator of where much of the December incentive push was focused was the somewhat better results in cars when compared with the first 11 months of 2016.