The California new vehicle market continued its steady recovery in the first quarter of this year. New light vehicle registrations increased 12.6 percent during the first three months of 2013 versus a year earlier, and exceeded 400,000 units, which was the highest first quarter total since 2008 according to figures provided by the California New Car Dealers Assn.
The increase in the state exceeded the U.S. market improvement of 7.2 percent. Auto Outlook is projecting that new registrations for all of this year will come in at 1.668 million units, up more than 9% from 2012.
Other key trends in the state market:
•Among the top 15 selling brands, Dodge and Subaru had the largest percentage increases in the First Quarter.
•Domestic brand registrations increased 17.8 percent in the first quarter and market share increased 1.3 points.
•Passenger car share increased a slim 0.1 share points. SUV share increased 0.3 points.
Hybrid vehicle market share increased to 7.5 percent in the first quarter.
Toyota’s Prius maintained a small lead over Accord as top selling car in California.
Meanwhile California’s used car market did not fare as well.Used registrations in the state declined 6.5 percent during the first three months of this year versus a year earlier.