While headlines might suggest a November auto sales boom, the actual numbers paint a much different picture for the car industry. November 2025 saw total sales of around 1.26 million units, which represents an 8% drop compared to the same month last year. Think of it like expecting a packed concert but finding half-empty seats instead.
Despite misleading headlines about a sales boom, November’s 1.26 million auto sales dropped 8% year-over-year, revealing industry struggles.
The numbers get even more telling when looking at the bigger picture. The industry is running at a pace that suggests full-year sales will hit between 16.1 and 16.2 million units. While that sounds impressive, it actually shows the market losing steam after a strong third quarter. It’s like a runner who started fast but is now slowing down before the finish line.
Even major players like Ford felt the pinch. The automaker saw sales drop by 0.9% in November, ending an eight-month winning streak. Their truck sales stayed flat while SUV sales dipped slightly. Ford’s struggle reflects broader market challenges rather than company-specific problems.
The real culprit behind these disappointing numbers is affordability. Car prices keep climbing higher thanks to tariffs and other costs, making vehicles harder for families to buy. It’s like grocery shopping when everything costs more than expected. Many consumers are simply waiting or choosing not to buy at all.
Electric vehicle sales tell an equally concerning story. Despite growing interest in green cars, electric vehicles made up only 5.3% of November sales. The problem isn’t lack of interest but rather low inventory and the recent end of the $7,500 federal tax credit that helped make these cars more affordable. Ford’s E-Transit particularly struggled with sales plummeting over 80% as commercial buyers remained hesitant about electric fleet adoption.
Retail sales dropped 4.8% compared to last year, showing that regular consumers are pulling back from major purchases. Dealers and manufacturers are finding it tough to maintain growth when economic uncertainty makes people nervous about spending big money. Trade-in equity averaged $7,822, reflecting ongoing vehicle depreciation challenges across the market. Institutional investors like pension funds and banks are closely monitoring these automotive sector trends for potential impacts on their large-scale investment strategies.
Looking ahead, experts expect this slowdown to continue through early 2026. The auto industry faces a complex mix of high prices, policy changes, and cautious consumers. While some brands like Kia managed small gains, the overall trend points toward continued challenges rather than the surge some predicted.
