The Partnership sends updates for the most important economic indicators each month. If you would like to opt-in to receive these updates, please click here.

Houston-area dealers sold 386,201 new cars, trucks, and SUVs in ’25, according to TexAuto Facts published by InfoNation Inc. The total set an all-time record for the region, surpassing the previous high of 376,481 vehicles sold a decade ago in ’15. The brisk pace of purchases signals that consumers maintained a healthy appetite for big-ticket items. Sales climbed 6.5 percent from ’24, driven by a 9.6 percent jump in trucks and SUVs, with car sales falling 5.1 percent year-over-year, as consumer preferences continue to shift toward larger vehicles.

While purchases were up on an annual basis, they ended the year on a softer note. On a monthly basis, December closed out the year with 25,658 vehicles sold—down 14.1 percent from December ’24. Retail sales of import brands fell 18.3 percent, while domestic brands declined by a more modest 12.0 percent. Trucks and SUVs continued to dominate across the board, but the skew was heavier in the domestic segment where they made up 95.7 percent of sales compared to 73.0 percent in the international segment.

Overall vehicle prices and truck/SUV prices both edged up year-over-year in December, while car prices moved in the opposite direction:
• The average retail price for all new vehicles was $52,370, up from $51,495 in December ’24.
• The average retail price for a new truck/SUV was $55,448, up from $55,227 in December ‘24.
• The average retail price for a new car was $38,968, down from $40,366 in December ’24.

Prepared by Greater Houston Partnership Research

Colin Baker
Manager of Economic Research
[email protected]