Automakers are expected to offer greater incentives on sedans and hatchbacks as sales of these models continue to slow. Overall new-car sales fell 1.1 percent in February compared to the same month a year ago, according to Autodata Corp. But sales of passenger cars were hit particularly hard as consumers continued to flock to SUV and pickup trucks.
Slow car demand is leading automakers to add incentives for what are fairly high inventories of unsold vehicles, reports The Detroit News. Passenger cars accounted for 37.7 percent of sales last month, down from 42.4 percent in February 2016. Truck sales were 62.3 percent, compared to 57.6 percent a year ago. . . .
Ford car sales also decreased, even as the Dearborn automaker witnessed a record February for SUV sales, and an increase of 8.7 percent for F-Series pickup-truck sales. Sales of the Focus compact sedan and hatchback fell 31.8 percent, while sales of the Fusion mid-size sedan deflated by 35 percent. In contrast, sales of the Escape compact crossover increased 15.9 percent, while sales of the Expedition full-size SUV shot up 48.2 percent. . . .