DETROIT — U.S. car buyers tapped the brakes in March, a sign of a long-expected slowdown in the blistering pace of sales.

March sales were up less than 1 percent compared with the same month a year ago. U.S. consumers bought 1.5 million new cars and trucks in March, according to Autodata Corp.

Some automakers reported larger gains. Hyundai’s U.S. sales jumped 12 percent over last March after a big boost in incentives. Subaru’s sales were up 10 percent. Toyota’s sales were up 5 percent, and FCA – the parent of Chrysler and Fiat – said its sales rose 2 percent.

But those gains were nearly offset by lower sales at other major automakers. General Motors’ sales fell 2 percent and Ford and Nissan both saw 3 percent declines. Honda was down 5 percent. Volkswagen fell 18 percent.

For the most part, March didn’t see the kind of big increases the industry has gotten used to. U.S. auto sales were up 14 percent in January, for example, and 5 percent in February.

There were contributing factors. Last March saw a surge in sales after a cold February; by contrast, this March still had lingering snow in much of the country. This March also had one fewer weekend than last March.

Still, March gave the industry a taste of what’s to come as U.S. new-car sales reach a natural peak. Sales have been increasing by around 1 million vehicles each year since 2009. But as sales approach the historic peak of 17 million, the pace is expected to slow. U.S. consumers bought 16.5 million new vehicles last year.

Alec Gutierrez, an auto market analyst for Kelley Blue Book, said he expects sales to increase by 2.5 percent this year, or 400,000 vehicles. Gutierrez says March is usually a strong month, as buyers spend tax returns and Japanese automakers offer deals at the end of their fiscal years. Low interest rates and low gas prices are also enticing factors. But sales were still flat for the month.

“This really shows we’re at a point where sales are going to grow at a much slower pace,” he said.

Copy the Story Link