Fleet sales during the first half of 2025 came in lower compared to last year’s total for the first six months of 2024, signifying a slower new vehicle market overall heading into summer.
Total fleet sales fell 2.1% to 1,198,777 vehicles sold, compared to 1,224,644 during the first six months of 2024, according to Bobit Business Media fleet numbers released on July 1.
Meanwhile, commercial, rental, and government fleet sales in June totaled 191,086 vehicles, down 3.8% from 198,693 vehicles sold in June 2024. Last month broke a three-month streak of modest YOY increases in total fleet sales since October 2024.
Those numbers dropped substantially compared to May 2025, with total fleet sales of 216,917 vehicles, up a measly 0.1% compared to 216,378 vehicles sold in May 2024.
The one bright but weakening spot in fleet sales continues to be rental fleets, which are up 5.4% for the six months ending June at 678,284 vehicles sold compared to 643,782 sold in the first half of 2024.
Macro-economic influences on the automotive market include a pullback in pre-tariff demand from the spring months, tighter vehicle inventory, and fewer dealer discounts, according to reports last month from Cox Automotive. Buyers are very price-sensitive right now, said Cox senior economist Charlie Chesbrough in a June 25 news release. “As more tariffed products are likely to replace existing inventory over the summer, prices are expected to trend higher, leading to slower sales in the coming months.”
While fleets comprise a segment distinct from new retail vehicles, many of the same macro-trends still apply.
“Through the first half of 2025, total fleet sales are just under 1.2 million units, down by 2.1% from levels seen last year,” said Jeremy Robb, senior director of economic and industry insights for Cox Automotive in comments for Automotive Fleet. “The rental segment is the only segment higher against the first half of 2024, increasing by 5.4% so far this year to 57% of all fleet sales, a pickup of four points.”
June fleet sales by sector were:
Commercial fleet sales numbered 72,306 vehicles in June compared to 79,867 in June 2024, off 9.5%.
Rental fleet sales rose slightly by 2.5% year-over-year in June at 97,241 vehicles sold compared to 94,855 in June 2024.
Government fleet sales fell 10.1% last month, from 23,971 vehicles in June 2024 to 21,539 last month. [Government fleet totals included only numbers from Ford, GM, Stellantis, and Mazda. The other five major Asian-based automakers did not report any monthly government fleet sales].
“Fleet sales were down in June against the prior year, as strength in the rental segment slowed and was no longer able to counter the declines in the commercial and government sectors,” Robb said. “All segments within fleet were down in June compared to May of 2025, with mixed results showing in the year-over-year comparison, as the Rental segment was higher by 2.5% against June 2024, while Commercial was down 9.5% and Government fell by 10.1%.”
Bobit Business Media (BBM), owner of Automotive Fleet, Vehicle Remarketing, Government Fleet, and Auto Rental News, compiles fleet sales numbers that reflect aggregate figures from the three major Detroit-based auto manufacturers and the Asian Big 6 automakers. The statistics include cars, SUVs, and trucks.