North American Light-Vehicle Production Up 10.7% in August
Executive Summary
Each country posted gains to reach the region’s highest-ever August total.
August North America light-vehicle production soared 10.7% above like- 2015 with 1,687,680 units, the highest-ever total for the month.
U.S. production jumped 10.8% to 1,139,805 units. Gains were seen in both car (+8.8%) and light-truck (+11.9%) production.
Output from General Motors’ 12 U.S. plants grew an estimated 32.7% from year-ago to 252,580 LVs. Toyota’s production rose 37.6% to 136,520 units.
Year-to-date, assemblies in the U.S. witnessed a 1.7% uptick from same-period 2015 to 8,016,631 LVs.
Canadian production grew 4.7% in August to 216,794 units. Car output fell 2.8%, while light-truck production increased 9.3% to hold a 64.6% share of the country’s tally.
Through August, Canada’s total of 1,588,495 was 9.4% ahead of same-period 2015.
Mexico production increased 14.8% to 331,081 LVs, the highest-ever August total. Big gains were seen from Honda (+29.7%) and Ford (+11.2%).
August’s result brought Mexico production back on pace with 2015. The year-to-date total was up 0.4% with 2,274,045 builds.
After three years of construction, VW’s new San Jose Chiapa plant began production of the Audi Q5. It is the first Mexico-built European luxury vehicle for the U.S. market.
Several automakers posted best-ever August totals, including Toyota (+30.2%), Nissan (9.3%) and Subaru (23.8%). Ford (-2.5%) and FCA (-6.0%, estimated) were the only manufacturers to drop below year-ago.
Positive totals were seen in every segment except Van, which fell even with year-ago. CUV grew 12.8%, Luxury Car was up 18.2% and Small Car grew 13.7%.
Through August, North America production increased 2.4% from same-period 2015 to 11,879,171 LVs.
spetit@wardsauto.com
