U.S. SAAR Moves to 11.6 Million on Strong Fleet Sales, But Retail Lacks Muscle

May fleet sales played a large role in the U.S. light-vehicle market’s year-to-year growth, as seasonal commercial-fleet business combined with a spike in deliveries to rental companies replacing older vehicles held on to during the depths of the downturn.

U.S. auto makers sold 1,101,017 cars and light trucks in May, up 19.2% from like-2009, marking the third month in a row the industry outpaced year-ago by more than 19%.

The month’s volume translates into ...