By
Team Writer
/ January 13, 2017
Commercial fleet sales rose 2.7% higher in 2016. This increase was driven by an uptick in pickup truck, van and SUV sales, which offset a decline in commercial passenger car sales. Many manufacturers saw significant increases in a broad range of truck-based sales. The Ford F-Series pickup truck continued its dominance by being the best-selling pickup for the 40th consecutive year and also the top-selling vehicle for the 35th consecutive year. Industry-wide, expectations are for continued sales at or near record levels in 2017.
Key Takeaways:
- Sales of pickups, vans, and SUVs to businesses pushed commercial fleet sales 2.7% higher in 2016, which offset a decline in commercial sales of passenger cars, according to Automotive Fleet data.
- General Motors increased commercial sales 1% in 2016 and reached its highest level since 2007.
- Commercial sales in December reflected the trend of truck-based sales outperforming declining car sales with commercial fleet sales rising 2.7%.
“Eight manufacturers sold 673,689 commercial fleet vehicles, including 569,185 vehicles in the truck category and 104,504 passenger cars.”