Sales in May likely remain above the pre-tariff-surge baseline of a 16.0-million-unit seasonally adjusted annual rate but could fall below 17 million after topping that mark in the prior two months. At the end of April there appeared some deceleration in tariff buying, plus inventory will continue to decline. In fact, May 31 inventory is projected to fall even further year-over-year from April’s drop, possibly by double digits if sales top a 16-million SAAR. With production for the U.S. market forecast to continue with declines, and possible tariff-related price hikes on the way, no rebound in inventory is expected over the remainder of the year.

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