Cox Automotive forecasts US new-vehicle sales in February at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 15.6 million, up from January’s weather-affected 14.9 million but below the 16.0 million recorded in February 2025. Sales volume is expected to reach 1.19 million units, down 3.4% year on year on an equal selling-day basis.
Mid-size SUV/crossover was the only major segment to post year-on-year growth in the forecast, up 6.5%. Compact SUV/crossover and compact car were the weakest, down 9.9% and 7.5% respectively. Full-size pickup trucks held relatively steady, forecast down just 1.1%.
“The new-vehicle sales pace shifted to a lower gear in Q4 of last year, and that weakness is expected to continue through this month,” said Charlie Chesbrough, senior economist at Cox Automotive. He cited the expiry of EV tax credits at the end of Q3 2025, ongoing economic uncertainty, and elevated new-vehicle prices as persistent headwinds for the remainder of 2026.
Chesbrough noted that higher tax refunds expected under legislation passed in July 2025 could provide a short-term boost to sales in the coming months.
Source: PRNewsWire
