SUVs Save the Day Again in June as Total U.S. Car Demand Softens
- Japan’s Big Three automakers, Ford beat estimates as GM misses
- Second-half pace seen improving as economy looks stable
Breaking Down the June Auto Sales Numbers
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June U.S. sales show automakers are still selling lots of expensive trucks and sport utility vehicles, a bright spot that’s rescuing profitability in a market forecast to decline from last year’s record sales.
Deliveries of Toyota Motor Corp.’s RAV4 spiked 25 percent, while Honda Motor Co.’s HR-V saw a 35 percent gain, according to Autodata Corp. Toyota, Honda and Nissan Motor Co. shares rose in Tokyo trading after the U.S. auto industry closed out the first half with more evidence there can be a profitable vehicle mix even as total sales ebb from 2016.