Core Insights - Total US new light vehicle sales for February 2026 are projected to reach 1,183,000, reflecting a 3.8% decrease year-over-year [1] - The seasonally adjusted annualized rate (SAAR) for total new vehicle sales is expected to be 15.6 million units, down 0.6 million units from February 2025 [2] - New vehicle retail sales for February 2026 are projected at 931,400, a 4.6% decrease from February 2025 [2] Market Dynamics - Electric vehicle (EV) retail demand is depressed, with EVs expected to account for only 6.6% of retail sales, down 1.8 percentage points from a year ago [3] - Affordability pressure is significant, with the average monthly finance payment reaching $811, up $32 from a year ago [5] - The average interest rate for new-vehicle loans in February is 6.72%, a decrease of 31 basis points from a year ago [6] Future Outlook - An acceleration in sales pace is expected over the balance of 2026, starting with March, traditionally a high-volume sales month [4] - Competitive intensity is anticipated to rise as multiple automakers plan to increase their sales volume in 2026, despite total new vehicle sales being expected to remain similar to the previous year [6] - GlobalData forecasts US light vehicle sales at 16.2 million units in 2026, slightly down from 2025's level of 16.3 million [6]