Steel Markets

Truck Popularity Keeps Auto Sales Moving
Written by Sandy Williams
June 2, 2018
Rising fuel prices don’t seem to be impacting automotive sales; U.S. consumers are still hungry for SUVs and light trucks. WardsAuto reported that U.S. automakers delivered 1.58 million light vehicles in May for a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 16.8 million units.
Sales of Ford’s F-Series pickups jumped 11.3 percent to 84,639 trucks despite a supply outage that closed F-150 assembly down temporarily. Total sales for Ford increased 0.7 percent to 282,824 vehicles.
FCA U.S. reported sales of 214,294 vehicles, up 11 percent from a year ago, boosted by a 29 percent jump in Jeep sales. Although rumors circulated that FCA was about to dump the Chrysler brand, no such announcement was made by Sergio Marchionne in his last presentation as CEO. Notably, no specific presentations were given for the Chrysler, Fiat or Dodge brands.
Marchionne says the company will invest about $10.5 billion in gas/electric hybrids and fully-electric vehicles in the next five years. Diesel engines will be phased out and all new models will offer some form of electrification by 2022.
In North America, FCA plans to expand its Jeep portfolio, as well as offering electrified options for all of its Jeep vehicles.
Although General Motors is no longer reporting monthly sales, analysts estimate its sales increased about 12 percent last month.
Toyota sales were down 1.3 percent and Nissan’s were down 4.1 percent. Honda sales rose 3.1 percent on SUV and truck sales to 153,069 vehicles.
Volkswagen Group sales increased 4.0 percent to 31,211 units in May. In separate news, the company expressed its “regret and concern” over the implementation of steel and aluminum tariffs on the European Union.
“We fear that this could mark the start of a negative development of measures and countermeasures from which no one will emerge as the winner,” the German automaker said in a statement.

Sandy Williams
Read more from Sandy WilliamsLatest in Steel Markets

Still no cure for the summertime HR market blues
Seasonal steel slowdowns combined with ongoing anxieties about tariffs and mill strategies have dampened sentiment for several hot-rolled steel market participants this week. Buyers are jittery, market stands still The operator of a Midwest-based service center said that steel buyers are scared. “Everyone is afraid to buy steel right now. Unless you’re on a […]

SSAB Americas reports higher Q2 production and shipments
Despite improved operating results, SSAB Americas' second-quarter and H1’25 profits fell short of those of last year.

Global steel production slips in June
The total volume of raw steel produced around the globe fell by 5% from May to June, according to recent data published by the World Steel Association (worldsteel).
Market sentiment shows improvement: PMA Business Conditions Report
Metalforming manufacturers say they’re more confident that near-term economic conditions are improving

Galvanized steel prices and demand remain stagnant in July: HARDI
Galvanized steel prices ping-ponged in the $50/hundredweight range during the month of July, settling in at roughly the same position as in June.