U.S. new-vehicle sales are trending up in 2026, driven by strong buying interest from affluent households. Meanwhile, Asian brands such as Toyota and Hyundai are gaining market share and challenging General Motors’ leadership with more hybrid options at affordable prices.
Annualized total vehicle sales, which show what total annual sales would be if a month’s pace continued all year, rose to 16.80 million in August from 16.30 million in July, well above the average of 14.85 million for the 1976–2026 period.
In a recent report, Cox Automotive said it expects September sales to rise 6.5 percent from a year earlier and to stay strong for the rest of 2026. …