Related: Commercial Fleet Sales Drop in March
Commercial Fleet Sales Experience April Downturn
Commercial fleet sales from nine manufacturers totaled 24,923 in April 2020, representing a 66.5% year-over-year decrease, driven heavily by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Commercial car sales were down heavily, by 77.6% year-over-year during April at 1,600 units, and the truck and SUV segment also suffered heavily, with vehicle sales down 65.3% at 23,323.
Photos: Ford, GM, FCA, and Nissan.
Commercial fleet sales from nine manufacturers totaled 24,923 in April 2020, representing a 66.5% year-over-year decrease, driven heavily by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Total fleet sales for the month — which is comprised of commercial, rental, and government sales — came in at 72,084, which represented a significant 70% drop from the same time last year. Commercial car sales were down heavily by 77.6% year-over-year during April at 1,600 units, and the truck and SUV segment also suffered heavily, with vehicle sales down 65.3% at 23,323 units, according to Automotive Fleet data.
The rental fleet segment also saw vehicle sales drop significantly; major declines were seen across the board for automakers who reported for the month of April.
Through April 2020, rental fleet car sales fell 76.2% totaling 12,801 units. Truck and SUV segment sales decreased 76.9% at 20,193 units. Combined, rental fleet sales totaled 32,994, which represented a 76.7% year-over-year decline.
The government fleet sector also experienced notable declines, though not as significantly as commercial and rental fleets. There were 786 cars sold to government fleets, a 75.1% decrease, and truck and SUV sales were at 13,381 units, reflecting a 39% decline. Combined, truck, SUV, and car vehicle sales for government fleets amounted to 14,167 units, which reflected a 43.5% decrease from last year.
Year-to-date, as of the end of April 2020, overall fleet sales from nine manufacturers total 786,296, 25%% less on a year-over-year basis. Major drops in segments across the board helped contribute to this. So far car sales are down 36.9% year-to-date and truck and SUV segment sales are down 20.1% year-to-date; strong fleet sales in the first few months of 2020 are helping keep these declines less significant than what happened in April alone.
Originally posted on Automotive Fleet
More Vehicle Insights

Long-Lasting Pickups, Hidden Downtime, and Racing Lessons Lead This Week’s Work Truck News
Which pickups could reach 250,000 miles? Plus, hidden repair downtime, GVWR rerating, racing lessons, and quick fleet news in this week’s Truck Chat.
Read More →
Freightliner Announces Plans for Cascadia’s 20th Anniversary in 2027
Freightliner’s “20 Years of What’s Next” campaign will recognize the people who have helped shape the truck’s history. Drivers, dealers, fleet managers, and owners are invited to share their stories as part of the Cascadia’s 20th anniversary celebration in 2027.
Read More →
Vote for 2027 Medium-Duty Truck & Commercial Van of the Year
You know what works in the field. Help choose Work Truck’s 2027 Medium-Duty Truck and Commercial Van of the Year. Two awards, one ballot.
Read More →
Kenworth T680 Featuring Special Design Will Transport U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree to Washington, D.C.
A Kenworth T680 departed the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest in Idaho this week to deliver the 2026 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, a 76-foot Engelmann spruce. This marks the 13th year a Kenworth is delivering the tree.
Read More →
Workhorse Partners with Tristan Fleet Management to Sell and Service Electric W56 Step Vans in Canada
Workhorse’s first Canadian dealer partnership, with Tristan Fleet Management, builds on five years of selling electric step vans in Canada.
Read More →
GM Launches Manufacturing Futures Under its $50M Commitment to Michigan
General Motors’ new initiative, Manufacturing Futures, will connect 2,800 Michigan middle school students each year with advanced manufacturing education and career pathways.
Read More →
Ford Super Duty Fleet Guide Specs Capability and 2027 Updates
Explore 2027 Ford Super Duty fleet specs, gas and diesel engines, towing, payload, configurations, work features, technology, and model-year updates.
Read More →
Re-rating Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings (GVWR): Why and How it's Done
Sometimes, it is not in a fleet’s best interests to have a vehicle at a given GVWR. Changing the GVWR to a special value can be done, but the process is complicated.
Read More →
Which Pickup Trucks Last 250,000 Miles? 2026 Rankings Revealed
Which pickup trucks are most likely to reach 250,000 miles? The 2026 iSeeCars study ranks 12 long-lasting models, with Ram, Toyota, GMC, and Ford among the leaders.
Read More →
Peterbilt Showcasing Transportation Innovations at ATA MCE
Peterbilt showcased Paccar Connect and exhibited several trucks during the American Trucking Associations (ATA) Management Conference & Exhibition (MCE).
Read More →

