New-Car Sales To Improve Nearly 2 Percent From Last Year; Kelley Blue Book Projects Best January Since 2007

IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- New-vehicle sales are expected to improve 1.6 percent year-over-year in January to a total of 1.06 million units, and an estimated 15.9 million seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR), according to Kelley Blue Book www.kbb.com, the leading provider of new and used car information.  At 15.9 million, this would be the highest recorded January SAAR since 2007, when it was 16.4 million.

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"January is typically the weakest sales month of the year as many consumers take advantage of holiday deals in December.  However, winter storms also could impact new-vehicle sales this month, as much of the country deals with historically cold weather and snowstorms," said Alec Gutierrez, senior analyst for Kelley Blue Book.  "Early estimates indicate fleet sales will be down as well." 

Key Highlights for Estimated January 2014 Sales Forecast:

• In January, new light-vehicle sales, including fleet, are expected to hit 1,060,000 units, up 1.6 percent from January 2013 and down 21.9 percent from December 2013.
• The seasonally adjusted annual rate for January 2014 is estimated to be 15.9 million, up from 15.2 million in January 2013 and up from 15.3 million in in December 2013.
• Retail sales are expected to account for 83 percent of volume in January 2014.

Nissan to Record Solid Sales from Top-Performing Altima, Rogue
Chrysler is expected to post a respectable gain in January with strength from its Jeep and RAM brands.  Following the recent launch of the Cherokee crossover, Jeep sales increased 34 percent in December, while the overall industry was flat.  In addition, RAM sales finished the year 22 percent higher than the previous year. 

"We expect Nissan to record a solid sales month in January from its top products, the Altima and the all-new Rogue," said Gutierrez.  "Both set record sales in 2013, and the Rogue has become an integral part of Nissan's portfolio with compact crossover sales booming among consumers."

Full-Size Pickup Truck Sales Growth Expected to Slow on Cutback Incentives, Arrival of New F-Series
Compact crossovers will continue to report double-digit growth for the fifteenth month in a row, albeit slower than the 20 percent growth seen last year.  Entry-level luxury cars also will post positive numbers, thanks to the recently launched BMW 4 Series and all-new Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class. 

"Following a huge year in 2013, full-size pickup truck sales should see growth slow in 2014," said Gutierrez.  "General Motors will look to cut back on incentives on the all-new Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra, while Ford manages their inventory before its new line of F-Series trucks hits the market later this year."

For more information and news from Kelley Blue Book's KBB.com, visit www.kbb.com/media/, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/kelleybluebook (or @kelleybluebook), like our page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kbb, and get updates on Google+ at https://plus.google.com/+kbb.

About Kelley Blue Book (www.kbb.com)
Founded in 1926, Kelley Blue Book, The Trusted Resource®, is the only vehicle valuation and information source trusted and relied upon by both consumers and the automotive industry.  Each week the company provides the most market-reflective values in the industry on its top-rated website KBB.com, including its famous Blue Book® Trade-In and Suggested Retail Values, and Fair Purchase Price, which reports what others are paying for new cars this week.  The company also provides vehicle pricing and values through various products and services available to car dealers, auto manufacturers, finance and insurance companies, and governmental agencies.  For two years running, Kelley Blue Book's KBB.com ranked highest in its category for brand equity and was named Online Auto Shopping Brand of the Year in the 2012 and 2013 Harris Poll EquiTrend^® study.  Kelley Blue Book Co., Inc. is a subsidiary of AutoTrader Group, which includes AutoTrader.com, vAuto, VinSolutions and HomeNet Automotive.  AutoTrader Group is a majority-owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises.

SOURCE Kelley Blue Book