Starting the year off on the right foot is not just a cliché in the automotive industry. For many brands, the first months of 2026 They set the tone for what can come.
Read also: Slate Auto: the pickup truck that becomes an SUV
Between changes in incentives, expensive gasoline and more selective customers, the market moved more than expected.
You can demand: NY Auto Show 2026: what’s really worth seeing
The context didn’t help much. The elimination of the tax credit for electric cars hit several manufacturers hard, while the increase in fuel prices once again changed purchasing priorities. Even so, there were those who found the formula to grow, while others were clearly left behind.
Ram stomps and takes center stage
If there is one name that stands out at the beginning of the year, it is RAM. The brand managed to sell 98,425 units in the quarterwhich represents a growth of 25% compared to the same period last year.
Much of the merit lies in Ram 1500which reached 59,828 units with an increase of 27%. The line Heavy Accountability It also accompanied with 38,597 units and an increase of 21%. Overall, the result speaks of a clear and effective strategy.
The data is not minor if we take into account that traditional rivals such as Chevrolet Silverado or Ford F-Series They didn’t have the same drive. In a scenario where many thought that the price of fuel would work against it, pickup trucks demonstrated that they continue to be a safe bet for the American public.
The Mustang stands up when others fall
Sports cars are not experiencing their best moment, but there are always exceptions. The Ford Mustang He once again showed that his name still carries weight. In the first quarter it managed to sell 14,074 units, which means a growth of 50%.
It is not a minor fact in a segment where several models have been disappearing or losing relevance. He Mustang It maintains that emotional bond with buyers that others cannot replicate.
Nissan finds balance amidst change
For Nissan, the quarter was a mix of sensations. While its traditional cars fell 38%, the push for SUVs and trucks managed to offset the fall with a growth of 16%.
Models like Frontier, Pathfinder or Rogue They were key to sustaining the result. In contrast, the electric Leaf took a significant hit by falling 71% with just 668 units sold.
The reading is quite clear. The customer today seems to lean towards versatile and family vehicles, leaving some electric proposals in the background.
Top payment and electricity that do advance
Within the top class segment, the BMW X3 He was one of the great protagonists. With 17,767 units sold and a growth of 58%, the model confirms that its recent update is paying off.
In the electrical world there were also interesting exceptions. Toyota and Lexus They managed to stand out with proposals that did connect with the public. The Toyota bZ reached 10,029 units with a growth of seventy 9%, while the Lexus RZ surprised with an increase of 207% and 4,456 units sold.
These numbers show that, although the electricity segment faces difficulties, there is still room for well-executed proposals.
Stellantis and other names that do not raise
It wasn’t all good news. Stellantis had a difficult quarter, especially with its electric models. The Jeep Wagoneer S barely reached 175 units, the Dodge Charger Daytona at 240 and the Fiat 500e at only 68.
Curiously, the gasoline version of the charger It achieved 1,672 units, which shows where the consumer is leaning at this time.
Other brands also felt the blow. Alfa Romeo fell by Fifty three% with just 919 units, while Buick fell by 33%. cadillac It also did not escape the negative trend, with a 26% drop affected by several of its key models.
The case of Honda Prelude also attracted attention. Its debut left 795 units, a figure that is below what many expected.
Pickups and SUVs continue to be the main driver of the market, while electric vehicles are going through a more complex moment without incentives to support them.
Continue reading:
One of the most anticipated: the Subaru Forester Desolate tract has arrived
Subaru Ascent 2026: the good and everything that raises doubts
Nissan GT-R R36: hybrid, faithful and without raising the price
