Steel Markets
April US Auto Sales Highest Since 2006
Written by Sandy Williams
May 4, 2015
US automotive sales finished April at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 16.4 million. Sales were slightly below expectations but still the highest April sales level since 2006.
Sales volume for the month was at 1.448 million units, according to WardsAuto, a gain of 4.9 percent y/y. Light trucks and CUVs continued to lead sales as consumers enjoy low fuel prices and a favorable credit terms.
Sales of the new Ford F-150 were up 8 percent with plant change over and ramp up continuing.
General Motors announced it will invest $5.4 billion in plant improvements during the next three years. GM says the “investment translates to GM investing in U.S. operations about $5 million a day or $150 million every month for the next three year.”
Sandy Williams
Read more from Sandy WilliamsLatest in Steel Markets
CRU: China’s indirect steel exports find new destination markets
The boom in China’s direct steel exports has not stopped this year, even with a rise in protectionist measures globally. The increase is driven by...
Great Lakes iron ore cargoes down in September as Cleveland tonnage slips
Iron ore shipments from US Great Lakes ports fell sharply in September, per the latest from the Lake Carriers’ Association (LCA) of Westlake, Ohio.
HVAC equipment shipments down through August
Although total HVAC shipments fell in August, YTD volumes remain relatively strong. Nearly 15 million units were produced in the first eight months of the year, the fourth-highest rate in our 19-year data history.
Sheet market sources slam tariffs for prolonged demand slump
Tariffs are ultimately to blame for stagnant demand in the hot-rolled coil market, domestic market sources tell SMU.
Week in Review: Sept. 29 -Oct. 3
Let’s take a quick tour of some key stories from SMU in the week of Sept. 29 - Oct. 3.