Provide Issues Harm Auto Gross sales in 2022. Now Demand Is Weakening.

Toyota Motor, the world’s largest automaker by variety of automobiles offered, stated on Wednesday that its U.S. gross sales fell about 10 p.c, to 2.1 million automobiles in 2022. However in a sign that the availability of chips and different components improved towards the tip of the yr, the corporate stated gross sales within the fourth quarter jumped 13 p.c from a yr earlier.

Basic Motors was one of many few automakers that bucked the business development, reporting a 2.5 p.c enhance in U.S. gross sales final yr, to 2.3 million automobiles, placing it simply forward of Toyota after G.M. fell to second place for the primary time in many years in 2021. G.M. stated deliveries within the fourth quarter have been up 41 p.c.

Gross sales of G.M.’s electrical automobile, the Chevrolet Bolt, rose greater than 50 p.c to 38,120 for the yr. The corporate additionally stated gross sales of the GMC Hummer, an electrical pickup truck that sells for greater than $100,000, elevated to 854. The corporate, which has stated it goals to get rid of inside combustion engine automobiles by 2035, is relying on a number of new electrical fashions to extend gross sales this yr.

One other firm that did comparatively properly was Hyundai, the South Korean automaker that sells automobiles below the Hyundai and Kia manufacturers and that has additionally made a giant push into electrical automobiles. It’s full-year gross sales fell simply 2 p.c, and its fourth-quarter deliveries jumped 29 p.c.

Gross sales have been robust for electrical automobiles and for firms specializing in that fast-growing enterprise.

Tesla on Monday reported a 40 p.c enhance in its international gross sales for 2022, however its deliveries within the final three months of the yr fell wanting analysts’ expectations. The corporate’s inventory, which ended down 65 p.c final yr, fell 12 p.c on Tuesday. It rose 5 p.c on Wednesday by the shut of buying and selling.

And Rivian, a smaller electrical car firm, stated on Tuesday that it fell a number of hundred automobiles wanting its purpose of manufacturing 25,000 vehicles, sport utility automobiles and vans in 2022.