- Despite the concerns of a topped out U.S automobile market and deceleration in China, global auto sales are forecast to hit an all-time record in 2018 of 97.3M vehicles, according to LMC Automotive.
- As for the U.S. market, the headline drops in unit volume are being offset to a degree by higher prices. The average transaction price for a vehicle in the U.S. rose 4% to $36,270 in January to stay in an uptrend.
- "The shifting sales mix to trucks and SUVs has been particularly extreme lately, and as volume shifts away from cars, the average vehicle price ticks up," notes KBB analyst Tim Fleming.
- The largest year-over-year jumps in ATPs last month were recorded at Volkswagen (DE:VOWG_p) (+5.6%), Honda (+4.3%) and General Motors (+4.0%) - while Ford lagged (+1.8%).
- California may be a leader in EV adoption, but the state is still ruled by pickup trucks. Full-size pickups outsold EVs by a 3-1 ratio last year and the Ford F-Series outsold all pure electric vehicles combined, observes CNBC.
- Also in EV news, General Motors is looking to take advantage of the slow roll-out of the Tesla Model 3. "Bolt EV: Now available," reads a new mailer from GM. Last month, GM reported sales of 1,177 Bolt EVs in the U.S. last month.
- Speaking of the Model 3, Business Insider's Benjamin Zhang lists the "12 coolest features" inside the car in an article that features some captivating pictures.
- In terms of investor returns, there's one stock outpacing the rest of the group. If you bought Ferrari (NYSE:RACE) a year ago, your investment has doubled.
- Automobile stocks: GM, F, FCAU, TSLA, HMC, TM, OTCPK:NSANY, OTCPK:NSANY, OTCPK:HYMLF, OTCPK:DDAIF, OTCPK:BMWYY, OTCPK:VLKAY, CARZ.
- Now read: What's Driving GM's Earnings? Buick And Chevrolet Large Unibody SUV 25% Growth
Original article