FOTW #1003, November 13, 2017: Cars Constituted a Larger Fraction of Light-Duty Vehicle Sales for Fleets than Retail Vehicle Sales in 2016

Cars were a greater share of 2016 fleet sales (44%) than retail sales (30%), while sport-utility vehicles were a greater share of retail sales.

Vehicle Technologies Office

November 13, 2017
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In 2016 about three million new vehicles were sold to fleets (rental car firms, corporations, utility companies, government agencies), and 14 million were sold in retail sales (all non-fleet sales). Cars were a greater share of 2016 fleet sales (44%) than retail sales (30%), while sport-utility vehicles were a greater share of retail sales. Pickup trucks accounted for a larger share of retail sales than fleet sales, but minivans accounted for a larger share of fleet sales. The difference in the make-up of retail and fleet sales is partly because manufacturers often sell vehicles to fleets that are not as popular in retail sales.

Retail versus Fleet Sales by Size Class, 2016

Two piecharts; left chart shows Retail Sales by Size Class in 2016 for 14 million vehicles and right chart shows Fleet Sales by Size Class in 2016 for 3 million vehicles

Note: Vehicle sales are for 2016 calendar year.

Source: Crain Communications, Automotive News, "Mixing It Up" July 31, 2017.

Fact #1003 Dataset

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