Total sales of light vehicles during March fell 5.5% from February, the fourth decline in five months. At 16.57 million units (SAAR), sales were at the lowest level in thirteen months.

Auto sales declined 6.4% to 6.91 million units (-10.9% y/y), the lowest level since December 2011. The decline was led by a 7.1% shortfall (-7.7% y/y) in domestic sales to 5.12 million. Sales of imported cars declined 4.3% (-18.9% y/y) to 1.79 million. These sales also were at the lowest level since 2011, and were roughly one-third below the 2012 high.

Sales of light trucks fell 4.9% (+3.0% y/y) to 9.66 million units, a nine month low. Domestic light truck sales declined 4.8% (+0.2% y/y) to 8.21 million. Sales of imported light trucks were off 5.2% (+22.1% y/y) to 1.45 million. Truck sales moved higher to 58.3% of the light vehicle market.

Imports 19.6% share of the light vehicle market in Q1 compared to 19.8% during all of last year. Imports share of the passenger car market of 26.0% compared to 27.1% during all of last year. Imports share of the light truck market of 15.0% compared 14.1% during all of last year.

U.S. vehicle sales figures are published by Autodata and can be found in Haver's USECON database.