World Vehicle Sales Rose 4.6% in October

Global automakers delivered 7.90 million vehicles in October, 4.6% more than year-ago.

Sales in Europe ticked up 0.8% to 1.58 million units, with varied results throughout the region. France and Germany deliveries were down 4.4% and 6.6%, respectively, while Italy sales soared 13.3% to 168,000 vehicles. Sales in the U.K. inched up 0.4% to 213,000 units.

Russia’s total slipped 0.8% below year-ago to 138,000 units, the smallest decrease in almost two years. Year-to-date sales were 11.8% behind same-period 2015 at 1.23 million units.

Europe’s 10-month tally reached 16.86 million vehicles, outpacing like-2015 by 5.3%.

In the Asia-Pacific region, big gains in China helped boost sales 12.2% to 4.26 million units in October. Several small markets also witnessed significant increases. Sales in Taiwan grew 30.3%, Vietnam saw a 27.3% improvement and New Zealand sales were up 16.2%.

Consumers in China purchased 2.65 million vehicles, a 19.3% leap above year-ago. Sales of Chinese-brand passenger vehicles improved 30.1% year-over-year to hold a 45.1% share of the market. Demand for SUVs continued to stimulate growth.

Amid reports of China’s overall growth slowing, year-to-date vehicle sales outpaced same-period 2015 by 14.2% on 22.02 million units.

Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights and renewal, was celebrated in India and surrounding countries in October and is one of the biggest shopping seasons of the year. Vehicle sales in India totaled 350,000, a 5.8% increase from like-2015. However, demand dropped 17.9% in Pakistan and 14.1% in Malaysia. 

Through October, the Asia-Pacific region total was 9.2% above 10-month 2015 with 37.57 million deliveries.

Sales in North America were slow for the third straight month, dipping 4.6% below year-ago with 1.69 million vehicles. The U.S. total fell 6.2% from year-ago with 1.39 million units, slipping 0.5% year-to-date. Sales in Canada also were down, falling 5.5% to 157,000 units.

Increased demand continued in Mexico, where sales jumped 14.4% over year-ago levels with 141,000 deliveries in the month. Despite uncertainty following the recent U.S. election, 2016 sales in Mexico are sure to surpass last year’s record total with less than 100,000 units needed in the next two months.

North America’s regional total was up 0.9% year-to-date at 17.73 million units.

In South America, sales tumbled 10.5% in October to 306,000 vehicles, continuing a 32-month stretch of losses. Deliveries fell 14.5% in Colombia, 17.2% in Brazil and 61.7% in Venezuela. Outpacing the region, Argentina and Chile witnessed 4.2% and 11.8% gains, respectively.

Through October, South America sales shrank 14.5% compared with same-period 2015 with 3.13 million deliveries.

The worldwide tally was up 5.0% year-to-date with 76.12 million vehicles sold.

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