The Widening Gap

After plunging in July 2009, Porsche sales are on the upswing again.

Last month, car buyers bought 2,703 Porsches, a 75% year-over-year increase and Porsche’s best month in two years. Meanwhile, total U.S. light-vehicle sales rose only 5%, to 1.05 million units.

Here’s a chart tracking Porsche sales versus overall vehicle sales for the past five Julys:

Sure, even single-digit growth in the new-car market is positive. But it seems like the gap between new- and used-car buyers is widening. Among consumers who can afford to buy new cars, luxury vehicles are becoming more attainable. Yet most consumers these days are still replacing used cars with newer used cars.