Q2 2019 U.S. DIESEL VEHICLE SALES COMMENTARY AND INSIGHT BY BAUM & ASSOCIATES

In the diesel category, the Ford Transit and F-150, and Mercedes Sprinter lead the category, and again represented almost 90 percent of total sales in June. Sales of the diesel version of the half-ton Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra have been delayed due to a problem with emissions certification; sales are expected to begin in the Fall. Ram 1500 diesel sales are likely a few months behind GM’s schedule. GM has begun to offer diesels in the Chevy Express and GMC Savana, but sales numbers are not yet available. Production of the new engine for GM’s half-ton pickups is increasing at GM’s facility in Flint, Michigan. With the exception of the Chevy Cruze (100 sales in June) and vehicles with sales of less than ten vehicles monthly, all diesel sales in June were in utility or truck models.

Commercial diesel models are in Class 2 and 3 vehicles (volumes are estimated) and were up in June, although they are flat year-to-date. Since a large portion of these vehicles are offered with diesel engines, their volumes follow the sales of the underlying vehicles. Ford’s volumes are flat with last year, while Ram is up significantly and GM down (the latter due to changeover to a new model that will be fully available in the Fall).

Q2 2019 U.S. DIESEL CAR SALES BY BRAND AND MODEL

2018 U.S. DIESEL VEHICLE SALES COMMENTARY AND INSIGHT BY BAUM & ASSOCIATES

The light-duty diesel segment is paced by three entrants: the Mercedes Sprinter, Ford Transit, and Ford F-150. The F-150 is of course new for 2018 and launched last Spring. Sales represent approximately 5 percent of total F-150 sales. Note that sales of the F-150 diesel are now included and have been added for the entire year. In Spring 2019, diesel sales will increase significantly as the Silverado and Sierra half-ton pickups and the Ram 1500 will all offer diesel entrants. There is a large drop off after the three category leaders, with GM and the European-based manufacturers completing the category. Sales of these light-duty diesels represent approximately 0.8 percent of total sales, which is up modestly from 2017.

Commercial diesel sales are sold on the ¾ and 1 ton versions of the Ram, F-Series Super Duty, and Silverado/Sierra. Sales increased in 2018 and total sales represent 2.2 percent of sales, but of course a much larger share of large pickups, where these engines are common. It should be noted that GM has seen strong growth in this category as their new product in the medium-duty segment is enabling increased sales in Class 2 and 3 as many corporate customers buy trucks of various classes (as a package) for their business needs. Ford’s market-leading position in this segment of course translates into its leading position in diesel sales.

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2018 U.S. DIESEL CAR SALES BY BRAND AND MODEL