Full-Size Pickup Truck Growth Expected to Slow in 2014

New-vehicle sales are expected to improve 1.6 percent year-over-year in January to a total of 1.06 million units, and an estimated 15.9 million seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR), according to Kelley Blue Book www.kbb.com, the leading provider of new and used car information.  At 15.9 million, this would be the highest recorded January SAAR since 2007, when it was 16.4 million.

"January is typically the weakest sales month of the year as many consumers take advantage of holiday deals in December.  However, winter storms also could impact new-vehicle sales this month, as much of the country deals with historically cold weather and snowstorms," said Alec Gutierrez, senior analyst for Kelley Blue Book.  "Early estimates indicate fleet sales will be down as well." 

Compact crossovers will continue to report double-digit growth for the fifteenth month in a row, albeit slower than the 20 percent growth seen last year.  

"Following a huge year in 2013, full-size pickup truck sales should see growth slow in 2014," said Gutierrez.  "General Motors will look to cut back on incentives on the all-new Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra, while Ford manages their inventory before its new line of F-Series trucks hits the market later this year."