ZACKS·2026-01-13 14:05Core Insights - The U.S. auto industry experienced a strong performance in 2025, with total sales rising about 2% to approximately 16.2 million units, marking the best year since 2019 [1][9] - Despite high vehicle prices and rising financing costs, demand for trucks and SUVs drove early-year growth, although the market slowed in the fourth quarter due to cooling electric vehicle (EV) demand following the expiration of federal tax credits [1][6] U.S. Auto Industry Performance - Car buyers faced record prices, with an average new vehicle price of $50,326 in December 2025, a 0.8% increase from November [2] - General Motors (GM) remained the top-selling automaker in the U.S., delivering 2.85 million vehicles in 2025, a 5.5% increase from 2024, and extended its leadership in full-size pickups for the sixth consecutive year with sales of 940,000 units [3][9] - Toyota Motor (TM) was the second largest seller, delivering 2,518,071 vehicles, an 8% rise from 2024, with electrified models accounting for 47% of sales [4] - Ford (F) ranked third with total annual sales of 2.2 million vehicles, achieving a 13.2% market share, and its F-Series remained the best-selling truck in America with sales of 828,832 units, up 8.3% [5] Electric Vehicle Trends - U.S. EV sales fluctuated significantly in 2025, with early demand spiking before the expiration of federal tax credits, leading to a record third quarter, but a sharp slowdown occurred in the fourth quarter due to reduced incentives and affordability concerns [6][7] - Tesla (TSLA) faced its second consecutive annual delivery decline, with total deliveries of approximately 1.64 million vehicles, down from nearly 1.8 million in 2024, attributed to falling incentives and increased competition from Chinese EV makers [7][9] - Legacy automakers like Ford, GM, and Stellantis (STLA) adjusted their EV strategies in response to cooling demand, shifting resources towards higher-margin vehicles and proven revenue drivers [8][10] Future Outlook - The U.S. auto industry enters 2026 with caution, as easing inflation and expected interest rate cuts may support buying power, but a slower labor market could affect consumer confidence [12] - Government policy, including tariffs and fuel economy rules, will continue to impact the industry, with the renegotiation of the USMCA trade deal in 2026 being particularly significant [13] - New-vehicle sales are projected to decline to about 15.8 million units in 2026, a decrease of 2.4% from 2025, as the industry prepares for a new phase of transformation [14][15]