In the first half of 2019, the new-vehicle market in the U.S. has been propped up in part by strength in fleet sales. Combined rental, commercial and government purchases of new vehicles were up 5% year-over-year in June, following an even stronger gain in May. The rental fleet channel was strongest in June, up 11% … Continued

In a recent survey of car shoppers visiting Kelley Blue Book’s website, free maintenance for 2 years was voted the top most-appealing offer when purchasing their next vehicle, by a wide margin. Roadside assistance and monthly car washes finished a distant 2nd and 3rd in the survey, demonstrating car buyers will be most tempted by … Continued

Sales of certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicles increased 1% in May compared to May 2018 and were up 8% compared to April. For the month, 251,863 CPO units were sold. This brings the total CPO sales for 2019 to 1,162,441 units. This year CPO sales are up 2% versus 2018, growing at a comfortable pace above 2018’s … Continued

New vehicles have enjoyed tremendous gains in fuel economy over the past decade. It’s worth noting the significant improvements as the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee prepare for a June 20 hearing on the Trump administration’s proposal to freeze fuel efficiency standards at 2020 levels through 2026. Since 2007, the sport-utility vehicle … Continued

Automakers and their dealers entered June with inventories of unsold vehicles falling from the 10-year-high levels of recent months, thanks to improved May sales. May inventories dipped below 4 million units for the first time in four months, according to Autodata/Motor Intelligence. That pushed the days’ supply for all new unsold vehicles to 64 days, … Continued

May 2019 auto sales were reported last week, and the numbers came in stronger than initial forecasts, but down slightly from year-ago levels. Big fleet sales helped the total, but the retail side of the market remains soft. Our data team at Kelley Blue Book has had a chance to comb through the numbers. Here … Continued

May’s sales performance is a repeat of something we saw throughout the first quarter – fleet up, retail down. A total of 311,308 fleet units were sold, up 29% from April’s 240,898 units sold. Combined rental, commercial and government purchases of new vehicles were up 11% year-over-year in May, and up 29% month over month. … Continued

Tesla’s stock price slumped to its lowest level since December 2016 Monday, falling below $200 during active trading, after another analyst issued a scathing report on the electric automaker’s problems and cut the price target for the stock after heavy Wall Street selling last week. Some worry demand for Tesla vehicles, notably the popular Model … Continued

Sales of certified pre-owned vehicles increased 6% year-over-year in April. For the month, 233,540 CPO units were sold. This brings the total CPO sales for 2019 to 910,578 units, up 2% year-to-date versus the same period last year.This growth in CPO is in stark contrast to the weakness we continue to see with retail new-vehicle sales, … Continued