Forbes, March 28, 2019 — When automakers report U.S. auto sales next Tuesday, the numbers are expected to once again be negative amid fluctuating consumer confidence, the threat of import tariffs and worsening affordability conditions.
On a conference call with reporters covering first quarter results, analysts at Cox Automotive estimated sales of new cars and trucks in the U.S. will come in higher in March than February but almost 7% below March, 2018. That would make it the third straight month of sales declines. The expected bump in actual sales this month would increase seasonally adjusted average sales rate to 16.8 million vehicles, said Zo Rahim, Manager of Economics and Industry Insights at Cox Automotive. That’s up from February’s sales rate of 16.5 million units but down from 17.2 million.
