Commercial fleet sales fell 1.9 percent for the month of January, largely due to a steep drop in passenger cars sold.

According to reports, sales of passenger cars to fleet owners declined 17.2 percent month over month.  This continues the trend of declining passenger car sales dating back to last year, which saw an overall increase in sales powered almost entirely by trucks, SUVs and vans.  Sales of those vehicles remained largely flat in January.

While commercial fleet sales have dropped, rental fleet vehicle sales had a strong month, increasing 16 percent to just under 145,000.  Truck, SUV and Van sales were the key driver, with a 20.6 percent increase to 88,300, but car sales in the sector also increased 11 percent.