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U.S. auto sales fell 2 percent in February

In this Sunday, Jan. 7, 2018, photograph, a long line of unsold 2017 and 2018 Maserati Levantes sits on a dealer's lot in Highlands Ranch, Colo. Industry analysts expect February 2018 sales to tail off from a year ago as automakers ease up on cash discounts and other incentives that hit record highs last year. Most automakers report sales figures Thursday, March 1. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
In this Sunday, Jan. 7, 2018, photograph, a long line of unsold 2017 and 2018 Maserati Levantes sits on a dealer's lot in Highlands Ranch, Colo. Industry analysts expect February 2018 sales to tail off from a year ago as automakers ease up on cash discounts and other incentives that hit record highs last year. Most automakers report sales figures Thursday, March 1. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) In this Sunday, Jan. 7, 2018, photograph, a long line of unsold 2017 and 2018 Maserati Levantes sits on a dealer's lot in Highlands Ranch, Colo. Industry analysts expect February 2018 sales to tail off from a year ago as automakers ease up on cash discounts and other incentives that hit record highs last year. Most automakers report sales figures Thursday, March 1. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

By Associated Press 3 min read

Top selling vehicles

U.S. sales of new cars and trucks fell 2 percent in February to 1.3 million, automakers said Thursday.1. Ford F-Series, 68,243, up 3.5 percent2. Chevrolet Silverado, 42,282, down 16.3 percent3. Nissan Rogue, 38,119, up 15 percent4. Ram 1500-3500, 33,299, down 14.7 percent5. Toyota Camry, 30,865, up 12.2 percentSource: Autodata Corp.

photo FILE – In this Nov. 5, 2015, file photo, 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokees appear on display at a Fiat Chrysler dealership in Doral, Fla. Fiat Chrysler is reporting that U.S. sales fell 1 percent in February, a harbinger of what’s expected to be a lackluster month for automakers. The Italian-American automaker said Thursday, March 1, 2018, that sold just over 168,000 vehicles last month. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz, File)

U.S. sales of new cars and trucks tailed off in February as automakers eased up on discounts.

Sales fell 2 percent from last February to 1.3 million, according to Autodata Corp. Among major automakers, only Toyota, Subaru and Volkswagen reported sales gains over last February.

Ford’s U.S. sales chief Mark LaNeve said automakers spent an average of $65 less per vehicle on incentives in February compared to the same month last year. That’s a stark contrast from 2017, when incentive spending often climbed $300 or $400 per month.

LaNeve said discounts could grow during the spring and summer, when tax returns arrive and more people shop for vehicles. But based on the first two months of this year, he expects automakers to remain fairly disciplined. In the past, heavy discounting has led to overproduction and steep declines in automakers’ profits.