FX.co ★ US Light Vehicle Sales Above Forecasts

In April 2025, U.S. light vehicle sales reached a seasonally adjusted annualized rate of 17.27 million units, a decrease from March’s four-year high of 17.83 million units. However, this figure exceeded market expectations, which were pegged at 15.7 million units. Over the previous two months, the sales averaged an annualized rate of 17.6 million units, predominantly fueled by buying behavior influenced by tariffs—considerably higher than the projected rate of 16.0 million units in the absence of these tariff impacts. Wards Intelligence reports indicated that by the end of April, this upswing showed signs of waning, likely due to the diminishing effect of tariff-induced "exuberance" and tightening inventories. Demand remained particularly robust for full-size and luxury trucks, whereas sales for more economically priced vehicles, including cars and small to midsize crossovers (CUVs) and SUVs, continued to lag.