U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Vehicle Technologies Office
Fact #660: January 31, 2011
Light Vehicle Sales Rise in 2010
The total sales of light vehicles (cars and light trucks) in the U.S. have ranged between 10 million and 17 million over the course of the last 40 years. Though the sales have experienced highs and lows over this period, the recent sales plummet from 16.1 million vehicles in 2007 to 10.4 million vehicles in 2009 was the largest drop in the 40 year period with sales reduced to the 1982 level. Light vehicle sales increased to 11.6 million in 2010 (preliminary estimate).
Light Vehicle Sales, 1970-2010 
Supporting Information
Light Vehicle Sales, 1970-2010
| Calendar Year |
Sales (Millions) |
|
Calendar Year |
Sales (Millions) |
| 1970 |
9.9 |
|
1990 |
13.9 |
| 1971 |
12.0 |
|
1991 |
12.3 |
| 1972 |
13.2 |
|
1992 |
12.8 |
| 1973 |
14.2 |
|
1993 |
13.9 |
| 1974 |
11.2 |
|
1994 |
15.0 |
| 1975 |
10.9 |
|
1995 |
14.7 |
| 1976 |
13.1 |
|
1996 |
15.0 |
| 1977 |
14.6 |
|
1997 |
15.1 |
| 1978 |
15.1 |
|
1998 |
15.4 |
| 1979 |
14.0 |
|
1999 |
16.8 |
| 1980 |
11.4 |
|
2000 |
17.2 |
| 1981 |
10.7 |
|
2001 |
17.1 |
| 1982 |
10.4 |
|
2002 |
16.8 |
| 1983 |
12.1 |
|
2003 |
16.5 |
| 1984 |
14.2 |
|
2004 |
16.9 |
| 1985 |
15.4 |
|
2005 |
17.0 |
| 1986 |
16.0 |
|
2006 |
16.5 |
| 1987 |
14.8 |
|
2007 |
16.1 |
| 1988 |
15.3 |
|
2008 |
13.2 |
| 1989 |
14.4 |
|
2009 |
10.4 |
| |
|
|
2010 |
11.6 |
|
Note: 2010 data are preliminary.
Source: Ward's Autodata.
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