Most Automakers Anticipate Bright 2025

U.S. light-vehicle sales in 2024 totaled 15.851 million units, up 2.2% from 2023’s 15.502 million, according to Wards Intelligence data. That was the highest total for any year since 16.961 million in 2019.

The market in 2024 illuminated notable shifts among major manufacturers, offering insights into potential industry trends we can expect for 2025.

General Motors

GM maintained its leadership position among U.S. automakers with a 4.3% increase in U.S. sales, totaling approximately 2.7 million vehicles. This growth was driven by strong demand for pickup trucks and SUVs, indicating continued consumer preference for larger vehicles.

GM is taking charges against 2024 earnings for restructuring operations in China and backing out of the Cruise autonomous robotaxi business, but sales of some its most profitable models surged in the fourth quarter. GM posted an overall 21% increase in the fourth quarter with all but one brand posting double-digit increases. Sales rose 17% at Chevrolet, 33% at GMC ,35% at Cadillac and 9.5% at Buick.

Looking ahead to this year, GM is launching several BEVs but will face the likely withdrawal of federal tax credits for consumers buying and leasing BEVs. There will be continued demand for pickups and fullsize SUVs, as well as brisk demand for Chevy CUVs like Trailblazer and Equinox. Smaller CUVs such as Chevy Trax and Buick Envista (pictured, below) should help offset softening of BEV demand.

Ford

Ford reported a fourth-quarter sales gain of 8.9% behind a 27% rise in hybrid volume and EV deliveries that rose 16%. The company, which entered the fourth quarter with high inventories of Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning BEVs, drove sales at the end of the year with free home charging kits.

Ford said it sold a record 187,426 hybrids, up 40%, in 2024, while EV deliveries jumped 35% to 97,865.

Lincoln sales, after falling four straight years, closed 2024 up 28% at 104,823.

Looking ahead, Ford has no new BEVs hitting the market in 2025, but it is hoping to rack up profits from a new Expedition fullsize SUV, as well as higher demand for ICE F-Series trucks with the introduction of F-150 lower-end trims of the STX, XLT and Lariat models in an attempt to address affordability complaints from buyers.

Stellantis

The parent company of Chrysler experienced a 20% drop in U.S. sales, with declines in brands like Ram, Jeep and Dodge. This downturn suggests challenges in appealing to current market demands.

The automaker, which is searching for a new CEO, is also regrouping on pricing and its product plan to especially address declines in its most profitable brands – Ram and Jeep.

Toyota

Toyota's U.S. sales remained robust, with 2.4% growth in November 2024, allowing it to overtake Ford in monthly sales. This performance underscores Toyota's strong market presence and consumer trust.

Toyota has expanded its hybrid offerings, for example making the Camry, the top-selling midsize sedan, hybrid only. In 2024, Toyota Motor North America reported selling over 1 million electrified vehicles in the U.S., marking a 53% increase from the previous year.

Honda and Nissan

Honda saw an 80% gain in sales of electrified models, pushing an overall 9.9% rise in December. Honda reported an 11% rise and the automaker's Acura luxury division, a modest 1.1%.

For the year, Honda brand sales were up 11% while Acura fell 9.1%. Honda says its electrified-vehicle sales were up 20%, with record hybrid sales of 308,554 last year.

Honda has a busy product cycle in 2025. Acura is set to release the 2025 ADX (pictured, below), a compact luxury crossover SUV. Positioned as an entry-level luxury utility vehicle, the ICE-powered ADX shares its platform with the Honda HR-V. Later in the year, Honda has an all-new Passport and hybrid Prelude for the 2026 model year.

The announced combination of Honda and Nissan won’t be formally forged until mid-2026 after which the two companies will work to consolidate product planning, powertrains, manufacturing and purchasing to optimize the operations of the two companies.

Hyundai and Kia

Both brands under the Hyundai Group reported record sales in the U.S. for 2024, helped by a broad mix of crossovers, hybrids, new EVs and brand momentum as car buyers continue to choose the South Korean brands for value, long warranties and appealing quality scores.

Hyundai’s retail sales rose 4% to 742,009 in 2024, marking the company’s fourth straight year of record volume. Kia says its U.S. retail sales have now increased seven consecutive years. December sales of its hybrids jumped 85% and EV volume rose 12%.

New models will undoubtedly boost the momentum. The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 9, Hyundai's first 3-row electric SUV, offers seating for up to seven passengers. The redesigned Palisade is anticipated to debut in 2025 as a 2026 model. Spy shots suggest updates to its exterior design, and it's expected to offer a 9-seat configuration. Kia Telluride, the popular 3-row SUV, is undergoing a significant redesign and is expected to debut in 2025 as a 2026 model. The refreshed 2026 Sportage compact SUV will feature a new front design, updated interior with advanced technology and enhanced powertrains, including hybrid and plug-in hybrid options.

Tesla

For the first time in over a decade, Tesla's global vehicle deliveries fell, slipping about 1% to 1.79 million units. Tesla’s Cybertruck has been a debacle of poor manufacturing quality and post-production fixes, problems CEO Elon Musk was warned about by his own engineers. Musk’s political activity has put the brand in the news and social media as a trending topic, but Musk’s partisan politics has made Tesla the subject of consumer boycotts.

Tesla may be able to fend off decreasing consideration for its brand with a series of new products expected in 2025: a new Model Y “Juniper” and the Model Q, a compact EV expected to be priced under $30,000, with production potentially starting by year-end. The long-awaited second-generation Tesla Roadster (pictured, below) and Tesla Robotaxi are both anticipated to enter production in 2025.

That is a very ambitious new-model rollout for Tesla, and the company is known for delayed and bumpy introductions.

BMW

BMW posted a modest 2.5% sales gain in 2024. But Mini brand sales dropped 21.5%. Mini sold just 26,299 vehicles in 2024, calling into question the future of the brand. A recall accompanied by a stop-sale order in the U.S. curtailed BMW and Mini sales during Q3 2024. BMW acted to address these challenges as they approached the fourth quarter.

BYD

BYD is not yet selling vehicles in the U.S., but with every rival automaker’s wary eyes on the Chinese company, it‘s worth noting its progress in 2024. BYD reported a 12% rise in global EV sales, totaling 1.76 million units, narrowing the gap with Tesla.

SUBARU

Subaru, with no hybrids in its lineup in 2024, nonetheless posted a 5.6% sales gain. The company has one BEV in its lineup but will be adding hybrids in 2025 and 2026 to enhance fuel economy in its lineup of models known for AWD performance and reliability.

VOLKSWAGEN

Volkswagen of America reported a 7% sales increase in the fourth quarter compared with a year earlier, and full-year sales were up 15.2% to 379,178 units. Sales growth was driven by the Jetta sedan and Tiguan SUV, increasing 51.5% and 23.8%, respectively. A new-generation Tiguan is among the revisions to VW’s product lineup for 2025.