Slowing Auto Sales Stoke Concern Over Near-Record Car Prices

High prices threaten to send US auto sales into decline this year as middle-class consumers shy away from new-vehicle purchases with stickers near record levels.

Major carmakers including General Motors Co., Honda Motor Co. and Hyundai Motor Co. said sales fell during the final three months of the year. Although industrywide volume likely surpassed 16 million vehicles for 2025, the annualized rate slowed in the fourth quarter to an estimated 15.6 million, down more than 5% from the third quarter, according to industry researcher Cox Automotive.

Automakers are contending with consumer angst about the cost of living ...