US car sales increase by 1.9% in the first half



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WASHINGTON. (EFE) .- The strong demand for vans and SUVs and the strength of the economy came back to enliven the US auto market during the first half of the year, in which over 8 million cars have been sold.

2018 first-half sales, which reached about 8.3 million units, are 1.9% higher than those obtained in the same period of 2017.

In l. absence of final official figures, the data reported today The automakers indicate that in June, sales amounted to about 1.5 million units, or nearly 2.5% of more than a year ago.

According to experts, the increase in sales in January June is a direct result of the strength of the US economy, despite the fact that the sector is saturated with new cars after three years of annual sales of 17 million units and high prices of automobiles. [19659002] Experts also point out as a factor in increasing sales the massive transfer of consumers from conventional sedans to SUV SUVs.

According to semester figures, sales of all-terrain vehicles, SUVs and light trucks and those of saloons in the United States. Therefore, the manufacturers who have made the most of the year are those who have a wide range of models in these segments.

Of the four major automakers in the United States, the Fiat Chrysler Group (FCA) and General Motors (GM) FCA said today in a statement that its sales rose 5% in the first half, to reach 1,115,476 vehicles, following the sale of 202,264 units in June. which represents an increase of 8% in the month.

FCA's growth comes almost exclusively from the Jeep brand, the SUV SUV specialist, which has become the group's main brand. Italian-American.

Jeep sales reached 495,022 units in the first six months of 2018, an increase of 22%. In June, Jeep deliveries increased by 19% to add 86,989.

Of the other FCA brands, only Alfa Romeo ended the semester with positive numbers.

GM for its part stated that it was increasing its sales in the United States during the first half of 4.2%, with the delivery of 1,474,170 vehicles, of which 758,376 were sold in the second quarter of l & # 39; year.

The improvement in GM figures occurred mainly thanks to the increased sales of its mass-consumption brand, Chevrolet.

Chevrolet sales in the first half of 2018 amounted to 1,019,019 vehicles, or 5.2% more than the same period of the previous year.

The Toyota Group also achieved positive numbers in the first half of 2018.

The Japanese automaker said its sales rose to 1,189,312 vehicles, or 3% more than in 2017, after a increased deliveries as of June 3rd. , 6% with the sale of 209,602 units

Toyota, whose strength in the past has been in sedans like the Camry, had to adapt quickly to the new tastes of US consumers.

Manufacturer says sales of its sedans fell 7% Over the six months, 467,597 vehicles were registered for SUVs and SUVs, while the Japanese company increased its sales by 10.6%. % during the semester to reach 721 715 units.

Ford was the only one of four closed the first half of 2018 with negative numbers.

The blue oval mark explained that with the delivery of 1,277,691 vehicles in the period, its sales dropped 1.8% despite the fact that in June it sold 230,635 units, 1,2 % more than in the same month last year.

Behind these four big manufacturers, the results have been varied.

The Honda group said its sales fell 0.5% in the semester, up to 787,824 units, and the up to Nissan lost even more, by 4.8%, with the delivery of 780,695 vehicles

Meanwhile, the Volkswagen Group (VW) gained 6.2% of customers with the delivery of 311,783 vehicles, and Mercedes-Benz lost 1.9% of its sales after remained at 176,408 deliveries.

Luck did not favor the two South Korean brands during the semester. Hyundai lost 3.3% of sales to stay at 335,048 and Kia 0.7% with 293,563 vehicles.

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