The vehicles arriving in collision repair bays are getting older, more complex, and increasingly likely to carry a hybrid powertrain. Q1 2026 auto sales data, reported by major automakers April 1–2, adds another layer: the overall new-vehicle market contracted roughly 6% year over year, which means fewer late-model vehicles are entering the fleet at a time when the ones already in shops demand more from technicians on every repair.
That dynamic aligns with findings in CCC Intelligent Solutions' Crash Course 2026 report, released March 31, which found that the share of repairable claims for vehicles six years old or newer fell to 58.3% in 2025, down nine percentage points from 2020.
The average age of vehicles on U.S. roads reached 12.8 years last year and is projected to hit 13 in 2026, according to S&P Global Mobility data cited in the report. Meanwhile, 28.3% of repairable estimates now include calibrations, and total loss frequency reached 23.1%.
For shops, Q1 sales results signal where the fleet is headed — which brands are growing, which models are constrained, and how the powertrain mix is shifting.
Big-picture trends
U.S. new-vehicle sales totaled approximately 3.7 million units in Q1 2026, down roughly 6% compared to Q1 2025. The year-ago quarter was inflated by a tariff-driven buying surge that pushed March 2025's seasonally adjusted annual rate above 18 million units, making the comparison unusually tough across nearly every brand.
Cox Automotive had projected full-year 2026 sales at 15.8 million units, down 2.4% from 2025. The Q1 pace ran below even that forecast as gas prices above $4 a gallon, weak consumer confidence, and the continued absence of the $7,500 federal EV tax credit, which expired September 2025, weighed on demand.
Two fleet-composition trends stood out. First, hybrids continued their record run: electrified vehicles reached a record 26% of the Q1 market, driven almost entirely by hybrid growth rather than battery-electric vehicles. About 94% of the U.S. market remains gasoline-powered when combining traditional ICE and hybrid powertrains. Second, the gap between domestically assembled and imported EVs widened sharply, with tariff-exposed imports collapsing while U.S.-built models held their ground.
GM
GM maintained its position as the top-selling automaker in the U.S. with 626,429 units, down 9.7%. The company led the industry in total, retail, and fleet sales, grew market share in full-size pickups, and remained the second-largest EV seller nationally. Fleet sales through GM Envolve rose 8%. "We saw showroom traffic and sales steadily improve after January's storms and March was a much stronger month," said Duncan Aldred, GM's SVP and president of North America.
Toyota
Toyota was the most resilient major brand at 569,420 units, essentially flat year over year. Electrified models accounted for 50.5% of Toyota's Q1 sales, and Toyota accounts for approximately 43% of all hybrid sales nationally.
The RAV4 dropped 48.1% to roughly 60,000 units, falling from the third to the thirteenth best-selling vehicle nationally. Toyota attributed the decline entirely to limited supply during the model changeover, not weakening demand.
The Camry rose 11.3% to 78,255 units, Corolla gained 12.8%, Tacoma climbed 15.8%, and the 4Runner surged 77.4% in March.
Ford
Ford reported 457,315 units, down 8.8%. The headline for shops: F-Series fell 16% to 159,901 units. It is still America's best-selling truck, but constrained by a supply chain disruption rather than softening demand. still America's best-selling truck, but constrained by a supply chain disruption rather than softening demand.
A September 2025 fire at aluminum supplier Novelis's hot mill in Oswego, NY, wiped out an estimated 40% of U.S. sheet aluminum supply and forced Ford to ration material and cut truck production. Ford eliminated summer shutdowns at its F-truck plants and added roughly 1,000 workers to recover an estimated 50,000 lost trucks, according to the Detroit News.
Novelis is expected back at full capacity as early as May 2026, with Ford planning more volume recovery in the second half. The F-150 Lightning dropped 71.3% as Ford discontinued the model ahead of a range-extended replacement. Mustang, Explorer, and Expedition all increased.
Ford's BlueCruise hands-free driving system surpassed 10.1 million cumulative hours, and Ford Pro Intelligence software subscriptions reached 865,000.
Honda
American Honda Motor Co. posted 336,830 units, down 4.2%, though the decline was largely explained by the tough comparison to March 2025's tariff pull-ahead.
"The comparison to a year ago isn't a good barometer for auto sales as the market saw significant consumer pull-ahead due to incoming tariffs," said Lance Woelfer, VP of auto sales at American Honda.
Honda set an all-time Q1 hybrid record at 95,882 units, with the CR-V and Accord each exceeding 55% hybrid mix. The CR-V led the Honda lineup in March with 40,793 units. Passenger car sales rose 6.8%. Acura gained 5.2%. Honda separately canceled three planned EVs in March as part of a broader pivot toward hybrids.
Stellantis
FCA US posted 305,902 units, up 4% — one of the few brands growing. Ram 1500 was up 27%, the brand's best Q1 since 2023. Ram heavy-duty trucks were up 21%, also the best Q1 since 2022. Jeep gained 3%, Dodge rose 4%, and the Durango jumped 48%.
"We continue to build strong momentum with 4% year-over-year growth, improving market share in an industry that is forecasted to be down approximately 6%," said Jeff Kommor, head of U.S. retail sales. The Q1 gains follow a strategic reset that pivoted Stellantis away from battery-electric vehicles and back toward ICE and hybrid volume.
Nissan
Nissan reported 247,068 units, down 7.5% overall, but retail sales were up 9.6% — marking six consecutive months of retail growth. Fleet reduction is masking underlying strength. The Rogue posted 70,174 units, up 13%. Infiniti outpaced the luxury segment in Q1.
"Even in a challenging market, customers are responding to our lineup, especially our trucks and SUVs," said Tiago Castro, SVP of U.S. marketing and sales.
Hyundai
Hyundai hit a record Q1 with 205,388 units, up 1% — the strongest first quarter in company history. Hybrid sales surged across the lineup: Santa Fe HEV up 47%, Elantra HEV up 141%, Sonata HEV up 107%.
The Ioniq 5, assembled at the company's Georgia plant, rose 14% to 9,790 units, insulated from import tariffs. The Ioniq 6, built in Korea, fell 75% and was effectively discontinued for 2026 due to tariff exposure and the loss of the federal EV credit. The Ioniq 9 added 1,990 units as a new entry with no prior-year comparison.
Kia
Kia also set a Q1 record with 207,015 units, up 4%, slightly ahead of Hyundai. Hybrid volume jumped 73% — the highest quarterly hybrid total in company history. The Telluride hit its highest quarterly result ever at 35,928 units, up 20%.
Sportage, Carnival, and the K4 all set Q1 records. The EV6 fell roughly 46% and the EV9 declined about 27%, with the EV6 GT U.S. launch postponed indefinitely due to tariff exposure.
Subaru
Subaru reported 141,944 units, down 14.9%, marking eight consecutive months of year-over-year declines. March fell 23.5%, though Subaru cited the record March 2025 pull-ahead as a major factor. The Forester was the lone Q1 gainer, and the Solterra EV set a monthly record of 1,736 units in March.
"This March, Subaru and our retailers continued to deliver the affordable, safe, and versatile vehicles that customers count on," said Jeff Walters, president and COO of Subaru of America.
Mazda
Mazda posted 94,473 units, down 14.4%, on its eighth consecutive month of year-over-year decline. March volume of 32,017 units was down 25.7%, though the month had 25 selling days versus 27 in March 2025; on a daily selling rate basis, the decline was 19.8%. Mazda publishes monthly results only and does not issue a standalone Q1 release.
BMW
BMW reported 84,231 units, down 3.9%. MINI posted 6,261 units, down 10.2%. BMW's SUV and light truck segment rose 9.5%, reflecting the continued consumer shift toward crossovers. Electrified vehicle sales (BEV and PHEV combined) dropped 50%.
"Our results this quarter reflect the impact of broader market trends across the industry, however in spite of these headwinds, we outperformed the overall market," said Sebastian Mackensen, president and CEO of BMW of North America.
Tesla
Tesla delivered 358,023 vehicles globally, though Q1 2025 was a weak comparison period due to Model Y retooling. Production of 408,386 vehicles outpaced deliveries, creating a 50,000-plus vehicle inventory build in one quarter.
The company missed analyst consensus of roughly 365,645 deliveries by approximately 7,600 units. Model 3 and Model Y accounted for 341,893 units; other models including the Cybertruck and Semi totaled 16,130. Model S and X production has officially ended, with factory space being converted. Full financial results are expected April 22. Tesla does not report U.S.-specific sales.
Rivian
Rivian delivered 10,365 vehicles, with production of 10,236 vehicles at its Normal, IL, facility. The company reaffirmed full-year 2026 guidance of 62,000–67,000 deliveries. Full financial results are expected April 30.
What shops should watch
The Q1 sales picture reinforces several developments collision repairers should factor into planning. Ford's F-Series production recovery, with Novelis targeting full capacity by May and Ford adding workers and eliminating shutdowns, is designed to make up roughly 50,000 lost trucks, according to the Detroit News. If the ramp goes as planned, more new F-150s will enter the fleet in the second half of 2026.
The Toyota RAV4's model changeover means shops will continue seeing the outgoing model for now. The all-new RAV4 comes exclusively with a hybrid powertrain, according to Toyota, and shops should monitor for updated repair procedures as the new model enters the fleet in greater numbers later this year.
Ram's surge and continued Hyundai-Kia growth are shifting the brand mix heading into repair bays. The hybrid acceleration remains the most consequential long-term trend: Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, and Kia all posted record or near-record hybrid numbers in Q1.
The CCC finding that 28.3% of repairable estimates now include calibrations underscores that repair complexity is compounding, and the fleet changes reflected in Q1 sales will continue to add to it.
