September Vehicles Sales Decreased to 12.2 Million SAAR

Wards Auto released their estimate of light vehicle sales for September this evening. Wards Auto estimates sales of 12.18 million SAAR in September 2021 (Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate), down 6.7% from the August sales rate, and down 25.2% from September 2020. 

This was well below the consensus estimate of 13.4 million SAAR.

Click on graph for larger image.

This graph shows light vehicle sales since 2006 from the BEA (blue) and Wards Auto's estimate for September (red).

The impact of COVID-19 was significant, and April 2020 was the worst month.

After April 2020, sales increased, and were close to sales in 2019 (the year before the pandemic).  

However, sales have decreased recently due to supply issues.