Rental car fleets have made recent overall fleet sales look better.
Graphic: Bobit Business Media
Commercial, rental, and government fleet sales in April totaled 207,582 vehicles, up a modest 2.6% from 202,309 vehicles sold in April 2024, according to Bobit Business Media fleet numbers released on May 1.
These are the first fleet sales numbers after Trump tariffs on the automotive sector started on April 2. Totals last month fell below those of March 2025, with fleet sales at 229,950 vehicles, up 2.3% compared to 224,833 vehicles sold in March 2024.
The rise in April 2025 rental fleet sales offset a mild decline in commercial fleet sales and a steep drop in government fleet sales, resulting in a second straight month of a modest YOY increase in total fleet sales since October 2024.
However, fleet sales year-to-date dipped 2.6% to 791,196 vehicles sold, compared to 809,564 during the first four months of 2024.
April feet sales by fleet sector were:
- Commercial fleet sales numbered 67,485 vehicles in April compared to 71,213 in April 2024, decreasing 5.2%.
- Rental fleet sales rose 14.7% year-over-year in April at 120,712 vehicles compared to 105,261 in April 2024.
- Government fleet sales plunged 25% last month, from 25,835 vehicles in April 2024 to 19,385. [Government fleet totals included only numbers from Ford, GM, Stellantis, and Mazda. The five other major Asian-based automakers did not report any monthly fleet sales].
“Fleet sales in April overall declined from the higher pace in March, but continued to show gains against last year’s monthly levels,” said analysit Jeremy Robb, the senior director of economic and industry insights at Cox Automotive. “With industry supply contracting in March due to the tariff impact, the industry saw incentives and rebates decline in April and it was likely a bit more difficult for fleet companies to secure new product.”
The sales rise among rental fleets with the declines in government and commercial fleets likely point to more market distortions as tariffs take hold, Robb said. “With OEM’s continuing to work to address supply impacts from tariffs, it’s likely that fleet companies continue to feel pressure to procure new vehicles in the next couple of months.”
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.
Originally posted on Automotive Fleet