North American Light-Vehicle Production Down 8.6% in July

Automakers in North America assembled 1,190,107 light vehicles in July, falling 8.6% behind 2015’s July record total. Though several manufacturers announced reductions or cancellations of traditional July shutdowns, this marked the biggest year-over-year production decline since October 2009.

Luxury Car was the only segment group to witness growth in the region, up 6.7% to 38,652 units. The Large Car total fell 37.1%, CUVs were down 5.6% and SUVs dropped 15.0%.

Production shrank 13.6% in the U.S. to 773,246 units. Light-truck output fell 11.0% and car assembly tumbled 18.4%. General Motors was the only major company to improve on same-month 2015, up 11.1% in U.S. plants.

Year-to-date, U.S. production was 0.3% ahead of same-period 2015 with 6,874,105 builds.

Canada’s July total of 133,233 units fell 12.2% below last year. Here only FCA light-truck assembly saw improvement, rising 47.5% above year-ago with 22,729 Caravans and Pacificas.

Despite a slow month, Canada production in the first seven months of the year outpaced 2015 by 10.2% with 1,371,701 units.

In Mexico, production soared 11.1% in July to 283,628 LVs, earning a 23.8% share of the region’s tally. Gains were seen in both car (+9.5%) and light-truck (13.4%) output.

Through July, Mexico’s total lagged 1.7% behind same-period 2015 with 1,944,291 units.

Outpacing the region, Nissan (+6.5%) and Subaru (+14.6) posted record July totals. Meanwhile, Ford production fell 24.6% and Hyundai output dropped 20.4%.

North America’s 7-month total reached 10,190,097 LVs, up 1.1% from same-period 2015 and on track for another banner year. Assemblies in the region totaled 17,433,660 LVs last year.

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