Monthly Update: Vehicle Sales

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Houston-area dealers sold 378,371 new cars, trucks, and SUVs in the 12 months ending April ‘25, according to TexAuto Facts, published by InfoNation Inc. This represents an 8.1 percent increase in sales over the same period last year. Truck and SUV sales were up 10.2 percent, and car sales were up 0.8 percent.

Sales in April fell by over 30 percent month-over-month. However, the 29,648 vehicles sold are more in line with the 29,964 vehicles sold on average in ‘23 and ‘24, indicating a market that is returning to normal. The expected impacts of tariffs may have caused consumers to pull their purchase earlier, leading to a hotter market in the first three months of the year. Despite monthly sales decreasing, year-to-date numbers for ’25 are still strong. Total sales through April of this year were up 13.1 percent compared to the same period last year. 

Prices in April rose across the U.S. while automakers adjusted to the 25 percent tariff on vehicle imports, according to recent news from Reuters and Kelley Blue Book. The Houston region saw a 1.2 percent increase in the average retail sales price, which was less than half of the national 2.5 percent. Prices increased despite automakers implementing deals and attempting to delay increases to sticker prices. 

Year over year, prices increased in both segments of the Houston vehicles market:

• The average retail price for all new vehicles was $51,873, up from $50,858 in April ’24. 
• The average retail price for a new truck/SUV was $54,252, up from $53,936 in April ‘24. 
• The average retail price for a new car was $42,091, up from $40,040 in April ’24.

Prepared by Greater Houston Partnership Research 

Clara Richardson
Research Analyst
crichardson@houston.org

Colin Baker
Manager of Economic Research
bakerc@houston.org