Rental fleets slowed their momentum in February after driving most fleet sales in 2024 and 2025, according to monthly fleet sales figures released by Bobit Business Media on March 3. 

Sales gains in the three fleet segments for February 2026 were as follows:

• Rental fleet sales rose slightly at 1.1% for the month, from 116,139 rental cars sold in February 2025 to 117,442 vehicles sold last month.

• Commercial fleet sales rose to 70,044 vehicles last month, up from 61,368 in February 2025, a 14.1% increase.

• Government fleet vehicles saw the steepest decline, with 16,744 vehicles sold in February, down 8.9% from 18,383 sold in February 2025. (Four of the seven major Asian-based automakers did not provide any government fleet numbers for February.)

Those numbers resulted in total February fleet sales of 204,230, up 4.3% from 195,890 vehicles sold in February 2025.

"Rental fleet sales benefited from tax reform and pull-ahead demand late 2025, and there appears to be continued positive momentum in Q1 2026, driving rental vehicle demand and purchases," said Zohaib Rahim, senior manager of economic and industry insights for Cox Automotive. "Rental sales are up 8% in 2026 compared to last year."

Year-to-date sales were barely positive, with 365,292 total fleet vehicles sold, up 3.3% from 353,662 vehicles sold in Jan/Feb 2025.

Bobit Business Media (BBM), owner of Auto Rental News, compiles fleet sales statistics based on aggregate data from the three major Detroit-based auto manufacturers, the Asian Big 7 automakers, and VW. The statistics include cars, SUVs, and trucks.