NADA Forecasts 16.8 Million New-Vehicle Sales in 2019 IN 2018, CONSUMERS CONTINUED TO ABANDON CAR SEGMENTS.

TYSONS, Va. The National Automobile Dealers Association, a trade group representing U.S. franchised new-car dealerships, today released its annual sales forecast for new light vehicles in 2019.

TYSONS, Va. The National Automobile Dealers Association, a trade group representing U.S. franchised new-car dealerships, today released its annual sales forecast for new light vehicles in 2019.

“We’re forecasting sales of 16.8 million new cars and light trucks in 2019,” said Patrick Manzi, NADA senior economist, at an industry briefing. “This would represent a falloff in sales of about 1.1 percent compared to 2018.”

Based on a strong November, new-vehicle sales are expected to reach 17 million units in 2018, which would mark the fourth straight year of U.S. auto sales above 17 million units.

“This was unexpected. We were expecting sales to fall off a little more than they have this year, but then the new tax law was passed which put more money in the pockets of consumers and they certainly purchased new vehicles at dealer showrooms,” Manzi added. “The majority of these sales, following the trend of past years, have been light trucks, such as crossovers, pickups and SUVs.”