Global car sales showed a notable uptick in October 2023, rising by 10.7 percent according to Avtostat, referencing data from the consulting firm LMC Automotive. In that month, the world saw 7,806,000 vehicles moved off dealership lots, signaling a solid finish to the summer quarter.
China continued to lead the market with sales reaching 2,766,000 units in October, up 10.7 percent from the prior year. The United States held second place, with 1,205,000 units sold, reflecting a 2.2 percent year-over-year increase. These numbers underscore China and the United States as enduring engines of demand in the global automotive arena.
Western Europe contributed 1,064,000 vehicles in October, marking a robust 13.3 percent gain. Eastern Europe also displayed strong momentum, with sales advancing by 49.3 percent to 352,800 units, highlighting regional recovery and growth trends in the broader European market.
In South America, dealers sold 246,400 cars, representing a 24 percent rise from the previous year. The year-to-date leaders in returns remain Japan with 394,800 units, up 10.4 percent, Canada with 151,000 units, up 17.8 percent, and Korea at 138,600 units, down 2.1 percent. These figures illustrate how regional shifts affect demand and mix across mature and emerging markets alike.
Looking at the period from January through October 2023, global sales reached 73,472,000 vehicles, registering a 10.4 percent increase compared with the same interval in 2022. This accumulation shows sustained momentum across multiple regions, even as year-end dynamics vary by market and policy environment.
Earlier statements from the Ministry of Industry and Trade projected a gradual recovery for the Russian automotive market. The forecast suggested that sales could approach 1.3 million units in 2024, with 2026 expected to align with the long-term average from 2015–2021. The official outlook also hinted at a steady annual growth rate of about 1 percent beginning in 2027, positioning the market to reach approximately 1.8 million units by 2030 and roughly 1.9 million by 2035. These projections underscore a long-term, incremental rebound aligned with broader economic and investment trends in the region.
In a separate development, a previous report highlighted consumer protection concerns within the automotive purchase process, noting an instance where a buyer was charged 255,000 rubles for an e-book as part of a car purchase. This anecdote serves as a reminder of the importance of transparent pricing and informed decision-making in vehicle transactions, a theme that remains relevant to buyers across North America and beyond.