Analysis
US Auto Sales Blast Estimates
Written by Sandy Williams
June 2, 2015
May U.S. automotive sales exceeded expectations with a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 17.71 million vehicles, according to the final tally by WardsAuto. Predictions ranged from Bloomberg’s consensus of 17.0 million to GM’s prediction of 17.5 million. May sales were at the highest single-month level since July 2005. The final tally for April was 16.5 million.
Trucks and SUVs continue to lead sales for US automakers. Low gas prices and easier lending terms have helped boost monthly purchases. According to Experian, the average auto loan term has increased with nearly 30 percent of new vehicle loans extending six years or more.
Most US automakers exceeded April sales and those who did not were very close. Ford sales slipped 1 percent in May partly due to low inventory levels.
“Right now we’re going through our lowest inventory period as we had planned, for F-150, as we bring our Kansas City assembly plant up to full line speed,” said Ford Sales Analyst, Erich Merkle.
Ford announced it will shorten its summer shutdown from the traditional two-weeks to one week to meet customer demand. Six of its assembly plants and ten supporting powertrain and stamping plants will be affected. The extra capacity will add 40,000 units to the inventory supply.
Sandy Williams
Read more from Sandy WilliamsLatest in Analysis
Key takeaways from CRU’s US Ferroalloys Connections Summit
CRU analysts break down their top takeaways from CRU's 31st Annual Ferroalloys Connections Summit, held Oct. 19-21 in Miami.
SMU Steel Demand Index improves but remains in contraction
SMU’s Steel Demand Index remains in contraction, according to late October indicators. Though growth faded at a slower pace, it rebounded from one of the lowest readings year-to-date from earlier in the month.
SMU Survey: Steel Buyers’ Sentiment Indices increase
SMU’s Steel Buyers’ Sentiment Indices both rose this week, with Current Sentiment rebounding 14 points.
Final Thoughts
Sometimes an entire news cycle happens in one week.
SMU Survey: Mills less negotiable on spot prices
Most steel buyers responding to our market survey this week reported that domestic mills are considerably less willing to talk price on sheet and plate products than they were in recent weeks.