Editor's note: This story is part of the WardsAuto digital archive, which may include content that was first published in print, or in different web layouts.
Global vehicle sales totaled 7.2 million in April, up just 1.6% over year-ago. This was the lowest year-over-year increase since June 2013’s 0.9% gain.
North American deliveries jumped 6.7% in the month to 1.6 million units, bolstered by gains in both the U.S. and Canada.
Sales in the U.S. surged 8.0% in April, the largest increase since November, with 1.4 million units sold. Rising demand, well-stocked dealers and some stepped-up incentive activity contributed to the growth. Deliveries in Canada rose as well in the month, up 4.0%, as light truck sales climbed to a new record.
Mexico sales plummeted 8.2% in April following an economic slowdown in the country due to increased taxes, fewer exports and rising unemployment.
North America placed second behind the Asia-Pacific region (43.7%) last month with a 23.1% share of global sales.
Asia-Pacific continued to surpass year-ago results in April, posting sales of 3.1 million units, or 3.2% more than like-2013. This was the 14th consecutive month of year-over-year increases for the region.
China, the region’s largest market, saw sales exceed 2 million units for the second straight month, up 8.8% from like-2013. South Korea was the only other major Asia-Pacific market to post an increase, climbing 11.8% to 147,765 units.
Japan and India both slumped in April, with sales down 5.5% and 12.6%, respectively, while Australia posted a 5.2% drop.
Europe sales remained relatively flat in April, inching up 0.5% over year-ago to 1.6 million units, or 22.7% of the worldwide market.
Deliveries in Germany fell for the first time since November, down 3.5%, as the region’s economic recovery slowed. Russia (-8.7%), Belgium (-0.6%) and Austria (-4.2%) also saw sales decline in April.
However, growth in France (+4.9%), Italy (+2.9%) and the U.K. (+6.7%) was just enough to push the region into positive territory.
South America was the only region to post a drop in sales in April, plunging 19.6% to 430,000 units. This marked the second straight month of declines for the region, but was the highest monthly volume posted since January.
Nearly every South American market recorded a drop in sales. Deliveries in Brazil fell 12.1%, marking the second consecutive year-over-year decline for the country. Argentina and Chile sales fell as well, down 40% and 17.3%, respectively.
Through April, 29.3 million vehicles have been sold worldwide, up 3.8% over like-2013.
