US light vehicle sales declined 1.1 percent year over year in 2023. Eighty three percent of consumers say they would shop differently if real time inventory data were available from dealers. Figures from the United States, China, and Germany cover sales volumes, pricing, and buyer patterns across these markets.
Key Takeaways
- 15.7 million passenger cars were sold in the United States in 2023
- 13.6 million new light-vehicle sales occurred in China in 2023
- In Germany, total vehicle registrations increased 5.5% in 2023
- In the US, Manheim’s Used Vehicle Value Index dropped from 250.6 in March 2022 to 223.3 in April 2024
- In the US, light vehicle sales declined 1.1% year-over-year in 2023
- 83% of consumers say they would shop differently if they could see real-time inventory availability from dealers
- 58% of used-car buyers say price is the most important factor
- 64% of shoppers start their vehicle research online
- Average transaction prices for new vehicles in the United States were $40,650 in 2023
- The Consumer Price Index for used cars increased 7.2% year-over-year in 2023
- In the United States, 7.6% of auto loans were delinquent (60+ days) in Q4 2023
- The global automotive retail e-commerce market reached $47.3 billion in 2023
- Amazon started offering car-buying services in the US in 2021 and expanded through 2023 across multiple states (US)
- 23.0% of new-car registrations in China were new energy vehicles in 2023 (NEV share of passenger vehicle sales).
- In 2023, the U.S. auto dealer trade inventory-to-sales ratio was 1.2 (inventory relative to monthly sales levels).
With prices, inventory, and online research driving decisions, U.S. and global markets saw 2023 sales shifts and rising used-car costs.
Related reading
01 · Category
Market Size2 stats
01
15.7 million passenger cars were sold in the United States in 2023
02
13.6 million new light-vehicle sales occurred in China in 2023
Interpretation
Market Size Interpretation
For the market size angle, global demand is clearly huge and uneven with the US selling 15.7 million passenger cars in 2023 and China delivering 13.6 million new light-vehicle sales the same year.
02 · Category
Sales Performance3 stats
01
In Germany, total vehicle registrations increased 5.5% in 2023
02
In the US, Manheim’s Used Vehicle Value Index dropped from 250.6 in March 2022 to 223.3 in April 2024
03
In the US, light vehicle sales declined 1.1% year-over-year in 2023
Interpretation
Sales Performance Interpretation
Across key markets, sales performance looks mixed with Germany’s vehicle registrations up 5.5% in 2023 while the US shows weakening demand as light vehicle sales fell 1.1% year over year in 2023 and Manheim’s Used Vehicle Value Index dropped from 250.6 in March 2022 to 223.3 in April 2024.
03 · Category
Consumer Behavior6 stats
01
83% of consumers say they would shop differently if they could see real-time inventory availability from dealers
02
58% of used-car buyers say price is the most important factor
03
64% of shoppers start their vehicle research online
04
45% of consumers compare offers from multiple dealers before making a purchase
05
74% of car buyers want transparent pricing information during the shopping process
06
3.1% of total household spending in the United States is on motor vehicle purchases (durable goods) in 2023
Interpretation
Consumer Behavior Interpretation
Car shoppers are increasingly shaped by digital research and pricing transparency, with 64% starting their vehicle research online and 74% wanting transparent pricing while 58% of used-car buyers say price is the top factor.
04 · Category
Pricing & Affordability4 stats
01
Average transaction prices for new vehicles in the United States were $40,650in 2023
02
The Consumer Price Index for used cars increased 7.2% year-over-year in 2023
03
In the United States, 7.6% of auto loans were delinquent (60+ days) in Q4 2023
04
The average interest rate on used-vehicle loans for borrowers with prime credit in the United States was 8.3% in Q1 2024 (average APR for used auto loans).
Interpretation
Pricing & Affordability Interpretation
In 2023 new-vehicle prices averaged $40,650 while used-car prices rose 7.2% year over year and, by Q4 2023, 7.6% of auto loans were delinquent and used-vehicle loan rates hit 8.3% for prime borrowers in Q1 2024, underscoring that pricing pressures are tightening affordability and repayment in the United States.
More related reading
05 · Category
Channel & Logistics2 stats
01
The global automotive retail e-commerce market reached $47.3 billion in 2023
02
Amazon started offering car-buying services in the US in 2021 and expanded through 2023 across multiple states (US)
Interpretation
Channel & Logistics Interpretation
In the Channel and Logistics space, the global automotive retail e-commerce market hitting $47.3 billion in 2023 alongside Amazon expanding car-buying services across the US by 2023 signals that online buying distribution is rapidly scaling beyond traditional dealerships.
06 · Category
Sales Channels1 stats
01
23.0% of new-car registrations in China were new energy vehicles in 2023 (NEV share of passenger vehicle sales).
Interpretation
Sales Channels Interpretation
In 2023, China’s new-car registrations showed a strong sales-channel shift with 23.0% coming from new energy vehicles, underscoring how NEVs are gaining meaningful share in passenger vehicle sales routes.
07 · Category
Inventory & Turnover1 stats
01
In 2023, the U.S. auto dealer trade inventory-to-sales ratio was 1.2 (inventory relative to monthly sales levels).
Interpretation
Inventory & Turnover Interpretation
In 2023, the U.S. auto dealer inventory-to-sales ratio stood at 1.2, indicating dealers were carrying about 20% more inventory than the level of monthly sales, a clear signal of how tightly inventory turnover was being managed.
08 · Category
Demand & Consumer Behavior2 stats
01
The average monthly new-vehicle sales in the United States were 3.8 million units in 2023 (seasonally adjusted SAAR/rolling monthly average).
02
39.0% of U.S. consumers in 2024 said they would consider used vehicles first when shopping for their next car (survey share).
Interpretation
Demand & Consumer Behavior Interpretation
Car demand in the United States appears steady, with average monthly new-vehicle sales around 3.8 million units in 2023, while consumer behavior in 2024 shows a strong tilt toward used cars as 39.0% say they would consider used vehicles first when shopping for their next car.
report visual · Key figures
Car Market Size & Buyer Behavior Highlights
U.S. passenger-car sales are far larger than China’s new light-vehicle sales, while consumer shopping behavior emphasizes online research, transparent pricing, and comparing offers across dealers.
15.7
15.7 million passenger cars were sold in the United States in 2023
13.6
13.6 million new light-vehicle sales occurred in China in 2023
64%
64% of shoppers start their vehicle research online
74%
74% of car buyers want transparent pricing information during the shopping process
45%
45% of consumers compare offers from multiple dealers before making a purchase
source-verifiedgoodcarbadcar.net · statista.com · edmunds.com · automotiveimpressions.com · jdpower.com2023
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Julian Richter. (2026, February 13). Car Sale Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/car-sale-statistics
MLA
Julian Richter. "Car Sale Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/car-sale-statistics.
Chicago
Julian Richter. 2026. "Car Sale Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/car-sale-statistics.
Sources & references
21 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+4 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)