Advance Retail Sales: Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers
This dataset tracks advance retail sales: motor vehicle and parts dealers over time.
Latest Value
136780.00
Year-over-Year Change
6.46%
Date Range
1/1/1992 - 6/1/2025
Summary
The Advance Retail Sales: Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers trend measures monthly retail sales from businesses that sell new and used motor vehicles and automotive parts. It's a key indicator of consumer spending and economic activity.
Analysis & Context
This economic indicator provides valuable insights into current market conditions and economic trends. The data is updated regularly by the Federal Reserve and represents one of the most reliable sources for economic analysis.
Understanding this metric helps economists, policymakers, and investors make informed decisions about economic conditions and future trends. The interactive chart above allows you to explore historical patterns and identify key trends over time.
About This Dataset
This series tracks the total value of retail sales made by motor vehicle and parts dealers, including automobile dealerships, parts stores, and tire retailers. It's used by economists and policymakers to assess the health of the auto industry and broader consumer sector.
Methodology
The data is collected through monthly surveys of a sample of businesses across the United States.
Historical Context
Retail sales are closely watched as an early signal of consumer confidence and spending patterns.
Key Facts
- Motor vehicle and parts dealers account for over 20% of total U.S. retail sales.
- Retail sales in this sector declined sharply during the 2008-2009 recession.
- The series is released monthly, approximately 15 days after the end of each reference period.
FAQs
Q: What does this economic trend measure?
A: The Advance Retail Sales: Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers trend measures the total value of monthly retail sales from businesses that sell new and used motor vehicles, as well as automotive parts and accessories.
Q: Why is this trend relevant for users or analysts?
A: This metric is an important indicator of consumer spending and the health of the automotive industry. It provides timely insight into broader economic conditions and consumer confidence.
Q: How is this data collected or calculated?
A: The data is collected through monthly surveys of a sample of motor vehicle and parts dealers across the United States.
Q: How is this trend used in economic policy?
A: Retail sales data, including for the motor vehicle and parts sector, is closely monitored by economists and policymakers to assess the strength of consumer demand and guide decisions on monetary and fiscal policy.
Q: Are there update delays or limitations?
A: The Advance Retail Sales data is released approximately 15 days after the end of each reference month. There may be revisions to the initial estimates in subsequent months as more complete data becomes available.
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Citation
U.S. Federal Reserve, Advance Retail Sales: Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers (RSMVPD), retrieved from FRED.