MARCH 2014 MONTHLY AUTOMOTIVE SALES FORECAST
Company press release.J.D. Power and LMC Automotive Report: Retail Light-Vehicle Sales Strengthening in March WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.: 20 March 2014 -- New-vehicle retail sales in March are showing signs of improvement, following slower-than-expected sales in the first two months of 2014, according to a monthly sales forecast developed jointly by J.D. Power and LMC Automotive. Retail Light-Vehicle Sales New light-vehicle retail sales are expected to reach 1.19 million units in March--a 7 percent increase compared with March 2013--with the seasonally adjusted annualized rate (SAAR) for retail sales projected to reach 12.6 million. Retail sales in February reached 946,766 with a SAAR of 12.4 million. 'The severe weather had an impact on retail sales in January and February, but as the weather has improved, so have sales,' said John Humphrey, senior vice president of the global automotive practice at J.D. Power. 'Additionally, stronger pricing coupled with lower reliance on fleet continues to bode well for the overall health of the sector.' The average new-vehicle retail transaction price in March--as it has been for seven consecutive months--remains above $29,300, up nearly $700 from March 2013 and the highest level ever recorded for the month of March.
