New-Car Sales Expected To Climb 10 Percent, Reach 16.3 Million SAAR In April

IRVINE, Calif., April 28, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- New-vehicle sales are expected to rise 10 percent year-over-year to a total of 1.415 million units, and an estimated 16.3 million seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR), according to Kelley Blue Book www.kbb.com, the only vehicle valuation and information source trusted and relied upon by both consumers and the automotive industry.  This increase would bring the year-to-date total to 5.15 million units sold, which is a 3.6 percent increase from this time last year. 

"Following a big rebound in March, Kelley Blue Book expects April to continue with another solid month of sales, which will be supported by rising consumer confidence and improving employment conditions," said Alec Gutierrez, senior analyst for Kelley Blue Book.  "Sales also are supported by improved credit availability, low interest rates and attractive lease offers.  Leasing has accounted for approximately 25 percent of all retail sales so far this year, a trend which is supported by a continued strong outlook for used-car values along with low interest rates." 

Key Highlights for Estimated April 2014 Sales Forecast:

• In April, new light-vehicle sales, including fleet, are expected to hit 1,415,000 units, up 10.1 percent from April 2013 and down 7.8 percent from March 2014.
• The seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) for April 2014 is estimated to be 16.3 million, up from 15.2 million in April 2013 and flat with March 2014.
• Retail sales are expected to account for 82 percent of volume in April 2014.

Nissan to Report Greatest Automaker Gains; Chrysler Dominates in Volume

For April, Nissan is expected to show the greatest gains of all major manufacturers at 19.5 percent year-over-year.  Driven primarily by strong sales of the redesigned Rogue and Sentra, Nissan has captured nearly one percentage point of market share from last year.  In terms of volume, Kelley Blue Book anticipates Chrysler will pick up the most units year-over-year with 18.1 percent growth.  The popularity of the Jeep and RAM brands this year (up 44.5 percent and 27.3 percent respectively) has more than made up for the sale declines from both Dodge and Chrysler brands. 

Compact Utility Vehicles to Reveal Double-Digit Growth; RAM Leading Full-Size Pickup Truck Segment Growth

Compact utility vehicles will continue with double-digit growth this month, even though the segment leader, Ford Escape, has seen sales decline this year.  Many models in this segment have earned growth in excess of 40 percent so far this year, including the Nissan Rogue, Subaru Forester and Mazda CX-5. 

"Full-size pickup trucks also should reveal healthy growth in April," said Gutierrez.  "RAM pickup sales are leading the segment's growth, but look for GM's trucks to turn around recent sales declines after bumping up their incentives this month.  Meanwhile, the F-Series will continue to dominate the segment as Ford prepares to launch the new generation later this year."

There are 26 sales days in April 2014, compared to 25 sales days in April 2013.  All percentages are based on raw volume, not daily selling rate.

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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.  Kelley Blue Book's KBB.com ranked highest in its category for brand equity by the 2014 Harris Poll EquiTrend^® study and has been named Online Auto Shopping Brand of the Year for three consecutive years.  Kelley Blue Book Co., Inc. is a subsidiary of AutoTrader Group, which includes AutoTrader.com, vAuto, VinSolutions and HomeNet Automotive.  AutoTrader Group is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises.

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SOURCE Kelley Blue Book