Jan. 30, 2015—Edmunds.com forecasts that 1.16 million new cars and trucks will be sold in the U.S. in January for an estimated Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate (SAAR) of 16.7 million. The projected sales will be a 23.1 percent decrease from December 2014, but a 14.4 percent increase from January 2014.
"New car shoppers, seemingly inspired by winter weather and low gas prices, are buying up trucks and SUVs—particularly smaller ones," Jessica Caldwell, senior analyst for car Edmunds.com, said in a release.
Ford saw the biggest increase in January sales from 2014-15, with the American manufacturer selling an estimated 30,000 more units this year. Hyundai/Kia was the least affected, with an estimated difference of 5,000 more units sold.
Edmunds.com estimates that retail SAAR will come in at 13.8 million vehicles in January, with fleet transactions accounting for 17.4 percent of total sales. An estimated 2.9 million used cars will be sold in January, for a SAAR of 35.8 million (compared to 2.4 million—or a SAAR of 35.6 million—used car sales in December).
