June was a phenomenal month for automakers, as the U.S. seasonally adjusted annual rate for light vehicles came in at 15.98 million vehicles, much higher than anything we’ve seen since the recession. For the first time in almost two decades, all three domestic automakers — Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F), General Motors Company (NYSE:GM), and Chrysler Group LLC — gained market share in the first quarter. With no further ado, here are the top five best-selling light vehicles in June.
1. Ford F-Series — 68,009 units sold in June, up 23.6% from last year
F-Series. Photo credit: Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F).
This should come as no surprise, since the F-Series has been America’s best-selling vehicle for 31 years and the best-selling truck for 36 years. Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) has dominated the full-size pickup truck market and has done so in an impressive fashion since rival General Motors Company (NYSE:GM) took a government bailout — giving more consumers a big reason to buy Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F). Consumers and investors love the truck for different reasons. For consumers, it’s a tough and tested work truck, with improved gas mileage to be an everyday vehicle as well. For investors, this vehicle brings in a majority of Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F)’s profits, so the better the sales are, the better investment Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) becomes. Everyone is happy this year.
2. Chevrolet Silverado — 43,259 units sold in June, up 28.9% from last year
Chevy Silverado. Photo credit: General Motors.
General Motors Company (NYSE:GM)’s Chevy Silverado has some work to do. While being second place is still a big win, it trails Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F)’s F-Series by a large amount. Chevy also had to dish out a significant amount of incentives, as its 2014 model is rolling into the lots and competing with the 2013 model — both with the same price tag. General Motors Company (NYSE:GM) just kicked off its marketing and advertising campaign to try to boost sales to catch its longtime Ford rival. We probably won’t see the Silverado top the F-Series anytime soon, but the gap could narrow over the summer months.
3. Toyota Camry — 35,870 units sold in June, up 11.7% from last year
Toyota Camry. Photo credit: Toyota Motor Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:TM). Toyota Motor Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:TM)‘s Camry has long held the best-selling car position in the U.S. market. While it’s up 11.7% compared with last year, a rising tide in June raised all boats — it’s actually down 2.9% for the year, compared with 2012. This is no surprise, as Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. (ADR) (OTCMKTS:NSANY)‘s Altima and Ford’s Fusion are gaining ground quickly by introducing stylish designs in a normally bland segment. Sensing the competition, Toyota Motor Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:TM) redesigned the Camry last year to give it more personality and a better interior.
