Vehicle sales · United States
United States Total Vehicle Sales
The United States Total Vehicle Sales measures sales or registrations of new vehicles (or used-car prices) in the United States.
- Importance
- Low
- Released
- Monthly
- Next release
- Currency
- USD · US dollar
- Central bank
- The Federal Reserve
Latest figures
The latest release for SEP, published on 1 October 2026, came in at 16M, below the consensus of 16.6M, down from 16.8M the time before.
A weaker figure than expected points to slowing activity: the US dollar tends to soften and markets price in lower rates.
Over the last 12 releases it ranged from 15M to 17M, averaging 16M.
| Released | For | Actual | Consensus | Previous |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Oct 2026 | SEP | 16M | 16.6M | 16.8M |
| 1 Sep 2026 | AUG | 16.8M | 16.3M | 16.3M |
| 3 Aug 2026 | JUL | 16.3M | 16.3M | 16.6M ® |
| 2 Jul 2026 | JUN | 16.5M | 16.0M | 16.1M |
| 3 Jun 2026 | MAY | 16.1M | 16M | 15.9M |
| 4 May 2026 | APR | 15.9M | 16.0M | 16.3M |
| 3 Apr 2026 | MAR | 16.3M | – | 15.8M |
| 3 Mar 2026 | FEB | 15.8M | 15.2M | 14.9M |
| 4 Feb 2026 | JAN | 14.9M | 15.5M | 16M |
| 5 Jan 2026 | DEC | 16M | 15.7M | 15.6M |
| 2 Dec 2025 | NOV | 15.6M | 15.4M | 15.3M |
| 4 Nov 2025 | OCT | 15.3M | 15.6M | 16.4M |
Why it matters
Cars are the biggest purchase most households make after a home, so sales are a sensitive gauge of confidence and credit conditions; used-car prices fed strongly into US inflation after 2020.
How it is calculated
Manufacturers' sales reports or official registration counts; prices from auction data.
What changes mean
- Sales fall when loan rates rise; watch the trend over several months.
Higher than expected: A stronger figure than expected points to a healthier economy: it usually supports the US dollar and local stocks, and can push bond yields up.
Lower than expected: A weaker figure than expected points to slowing activity: the US dollar tends to soften and markets price in lower rates.
A short history
Car sales became a key consumer indicator with mass motorisation after the Second World War.
Questions
What is the United States Total Vehicle Sales?
The United States Total Vehicle Sales measures sales or registrations of new vehicles (or used-car prices) in the United States.
What was the latest United States Total Vehicle Sales?
16M for SEP, published on 1 October 2026 (consensus 16.6M, previous 16.8M).
When is the next United States Total Vehicle Sales?
On Tuesday 3 November 2026.
Educational content only, not investment advice. Figures are the published results as recorded by our calendar; market reactions described are typical, not guaranteed.