29 May 2026
May 2026 US auto sales remain relatively steady in current environment
Article Summary
May 2026 US auto sales are expected to maintain the pace of the preceding months; uncertainty remains for remainder of year.
May 2026 US auto sales are projected to reach approximately 1.44 million units, according to S&P Global Mobility. This would translate to an estimated sales pace of 15.8 million units (seasonally adjusted annual rate: SAAR); down slightly from the March (16.2M) and April (15.9M) readings, but above the year-ago result (May 2025 – 15.6M) for the first time in seven months.
Looking forward, S&P Global Mobility projects US auto sales volumes to reach 15.8 million units in 2026, an estimated decline of more than 3% from the 2025 level of 16.38 million units. The 15.8-million-unit setting is slightly downgraded from previous expectations.
“Auto sales remain steady and solid in wake of swirling geopolitical and new vehicle affordability conditions,” said Chris Hopson, manager of North American light vehicle sales forecasting for S&P Global Mobility.
“The pace of sales over the past three months has remained relatively constant, with some underlying movement towards more fuel-efficient vehicles, specifically hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) as gasoline price remain high. We remain on watch for clearer signals of any consumer spending retrenchment, but at least for now new vehicle sales levels remain consistent.”
May 2026 US auto sales
Battery-electric vehicle (BEV) sales
A notable downshift for BEV sales and market share was expected through the first half of 2026, as automakers and consumers alike adjust to post-incentive conditions. However, rising fuel prices since March have renewed interest in fuel efficent vehicles.
Still, BEV share of new sales in March and April hasn’t reflected a meaningful advance. BEV sales are up from the immediate post-incentive expiration results realized from September 25-February 26, but remain down from year-ago levels.
Some of the aforementioned OEM adjustments (inventory,strategy assessments) could be playing a role in new vehicle BEV share, while reports of a rise in BEV activity in the used vehicle sector could also be a contributor in limiting stronger new BEV sales advances in wake of surging fuel prices.
The roll out of new BEV product over the course of 2026 should provide some additonal momentum for BEV sales along with sorting out of an answer to the question of how high could fuel prices remain, and for how long.
Looking ahead: The impact of 2026 US auto sales
The 2026 US auto sales market will continue to contend with affordability pressures and the impact of shifting EV policies. S&P Global Mobility will monitor the evolving sales environment as manufacturers and consumers adapt to changing incentive landscapes.
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This article was published by S&P Global Mobility and not by S&P Global Ratings, which is a separately managed division of S&P Global.