U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Vehicle Technologies Office
Fact #714: February 13, 2012
Light Truck Sales on the Rise
Light trucks sales have gained market share in relation to car sales from 1970. In 2001, light trucks outsold cars for the first time. Light truck sales reached a peak in 2004. By 2008, truck sales had declined and once again and neared parity with car sales. Beginning in 2009, truck sales have been on the rise and have exceeded car sales in 2010 and 2011.
U.S. Car and Light Truck Sales, 1970-2011 
Supporting Information
Car and Light Truck Sales in the U.S., 1970-2011 (Millions)
| Calendar Year |
Cars |
Light Trucks |
Total Light Vehicles |
| 1970 |
8.4 |
1.5 |
9.9 |
| 1971 |
10.2 |
1.8 |
12.0 |
| 1972 |
10.9 |
2.2 |
13.2 |
| 1973 |
11.4 |
2.7 |
14.2 |
| 1974 |
8.9 |
2.3 |
11.2 |
| 1975 |
8.6 |
2.3 |
10.9 |
| 1976 |
10.1 |
3.0 |
13.1 |
| 1977 |
11.2 |
3.4 |
14.6 |
| 1978 |
11.3 |
3.8 |
15.1 |
| 1979 |
10.7 |
3.3 |
14.0 |
| 1980 |
8.9 |
2.2 |
11.2 |
| 1981 |
8.5 |
2.1 |
10.5 |
| 1982 |
8.0 |
2.4 |
10.4 |
| 1983 |
9.1 |
3.0 |
12.1 |
| 1984 |
10.3 |
3.9 |
14.2 |
| 1985 |
11.0 |
4.5 |
15.4 |
| 1986 |
11.4 |
4.7 |
16.1 |
| 1987 |
10.2 |
4.7 |
14.9 |
| 1988 |
10.5 |
4.9 |
15.5 |
| 1989 |
9.8 |
4.8 |
14.5 |
| 1990 |
9.3 |
4.6 |
13.9 |
| 1991 |
8.2 |
4.1 |
12.3 |
| 1992 |
8.2 |
4.7 |
12.9 |
| 1993 |
8.5 |
5.4 |
13.9 |
| 1994 |
9.0 |
6.1 |
15.1 |
| 1995 |
8.6 |
6.1 |
14.7 |
| 1996 |
8.5 |
6.7 |
15.1 |
| 1997 |
8.2 |
6.9 |
15.1 |
| 1998 |
8.1 |
7.5 |
15.5 |
| 1999 |
8.6 |
8.3 |
16.9 |
| 2000 |
8.8 |
8.6 |
17.4 |
| 2001 |
8.4 |
8.7 |
17.1 |
| 2002 |
8.0 |
8.8 |
16.8 |
| 2003 |
7.6 |
9.1 |
16.6 |
| 2004 |
7.5 |
9.4 |
16.9 |
| 2005 |
7.7 |
9.3 |
17.0 |
| 2006 |
7.8 |
8.7 |
16.5 |
| 2007 |
7.6 |
8.5 |
16.1 |
| 2008 |
6.8 |
6.4 |
13.2 |
| 2009 |
5.4 |
5.0 |
10.4 |
| 2010 |
5.6 |
5.9 |
11.6 |
| 2011 |
6.1 |
6.6 |
12.7 |
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Source: Ward's Communications
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