EARLY results from January 2018 indicate the trend toward trucks and SUVs continues to accelerate in the US market, reports IHS Markit.

Sales volume will be lower than 2017, predicts IHS Markit, but said that marketing programmes, incentives and fleet sales would all contribute to brand and model level volatility throughout the year.

Christopher Hopson, manager of North America light vehicle forecasting for IHS Markit, commented:

“Looking at incoming sales reports, the pace of light vehicle sales in January is poised to remain above the 17.0 million unit (SAAR) mark, a decent result following the strong Q4 2017 demand results. We estimate a full-year sales volume of 16.9 million units in CY2018, down from the CY2017 total, but still a healthy industry demand level, supported by positive economic conditions and, specific to the auto industry, still welcoming credit conditions and high incentive levels.

“Headwinds from an incoming flow of used vehicles and continued expected slowdown in passenger car sales results in expectations that overall light vehicle demand will decline for a second consecutive year in 2018, but remain at elevated levels.”