California car sales dip for 2nd year as SUVs, trucks climb
5.71 million new and used vehicles sold in 2019, down 0.3% in a year.
Californians slowed their vehicle buying for the second straight year as the traditional car’s popularity continued to fall, stats from the California New Car Dealers Association show.
When I put the trade group’s latest data into my trusty spreadsheet, I found purchases (registrations for new and used vehicles) totaled 5.71 million in 2019. Buying has stayed in a narrow range: 2019 saw a 0.3% decrease in the year after 2018’s 1.2% decline. Sales rose 0.2% in 2017 after the same size increase in 2016.
Essentially flat sales are roughly in line with other statewide economic yardsticks. Job growth has cooled, though paychecks rose modestly. Sales of existing California homes dipped 1% in 2019.
Californians’ preference for traditional cars further waned last year with 2.96 million sedans sold, down 3.5% vs. 12 months previously. Compare that with 2.75 million light trucks and sport utility vehicles sold, up 3.5% vs. 2018. That adds up to cars’ share of all purchases at 51.9% last year vs. 53.6% in 2018.
Dealers of new vehicles got hit the hardest: 1.89 million sales in 2019, a 5.5% decrease over 12 months. New vehicle sales were down 2.4% in 2018 after dropping 1.9% in 2017 and rising 2.0% in 2016.
New cars were out of favor: 787,397 sold — down 12.2% in a year while 1.1 million new light trucks and SUVs sold, flat vs. 2018.
Business was better at the used car lot: 3.82 million sold in 2019, a 2.5% increase over 12 months. Used vehicle sales fell 0.5% in 2018 rising 1.4% in 2017 and dropping 0.8% in 2016.
When it comes to previously owned cars, sedans held steady: 2.17 million sold — up 0.1% in a year while 1.64 million previously owned light trucks and SUVs sold — up 6% vs. 2018.
Some new-vehicle details from the report …
Best selling models in key car categories: Compact (Honda Civic); mid-size (Toyota Camry); near-luxury (Tesla Model 3); and luxury (BMW 5-Series).
Bestsellers in light trucks/SUVs: full-size pickup (Ford F-Series); compact SUV (Toyota RAV4); mid-size SUV (Toyota Highlander); luxury compact SUV (MB GLC-Class).
Hybrid/electric vehicle market share: 13.2% in 20189 vs. 12% year before and 9.4% in 2017.