If you’ve walked into the 2026 Houston Auto Show with a sense that the car world feels more exciting, more energetic, and more optimistic than it has in years, then you’re absolutely right. The momentum building across Houston and the region isn’t just something you feel on the show floor. The numbers behind the scenes tell the same story: Houston’s auto market is strong, confident, and moving full-speed ahead.
Whether you’re here to shop, dream, compare models, or simply enjoy being surrounded by the newest technology in the industry, this is one of the best times in recent memory to be a car buyer in Houston. And if 2025 is any indication, 2026 is on track to be even better.
Record-Breaking Sales across Houston
Let’s start with the big picture. Houston ended Q3 2025 with 100,946 total vehicles sold, up from both earlier in the year and the same period in 2024. If that sounds impressive, it is—and it gets better. Year-to-date, Houston hit 295,251 total sales, which is the highest level we’ve seen at this point in the year in the last six years.
Retail sales tell the same positive story. Houston buyers purchased 88,809 vehicles in Q3 2025 alone, up sharply from earlier quarters. Year-to-date retail sales topped 257,000 units, another multi-year high.
The message is clear: Houstonians were out buying vehicles in strong numbers throughout 2025. Confidence is up. Selection is improving. And that trend is carrying straight into 2026.
Trucks and SUVs Continue Their Houston Reign
Walk the show floor and you’ll immediately see what the sales charts have already proven: We love our trucks and SUVs more than ever.
The Truck/SUV segment hit 72,378 retail units sold in Q3 2025, a major jump from earlier in the year. Market share for trucks and SUVs reached an incredible 81.6%, one of the highest levels in Houston’s history. That means more than four out of every five vehicles sold in our region are trucks or SUVs.
It’s no mystery why. Buyers want space. They want capability. They want comfort and technology. And manufacturers are delivering. From hybrid crossovers to luxury full-size SUVs to high-horsepower trucks ready for both work and weekend, the 2026 lineup on display at the auto show reflects exactly what Houstonians are asking for.
A Big Year for Electrified Vehicles
2025 also marked a turning point for electrified vehicles in Houston. In Q3 2025, electric, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid vehicles made up 25.4% of the market, a huge leap from 16.7% in 2024. That’s nearly a 50% increase year-over-year.
Why the jump? A big driver was the federal Clean Vehicle Tax Credit, which boosted affordability for many electric and electrified models until it unexpectedly ended early. That change created a wave of September buying activity, as Houstonians rushed to secure up to $7,500 off new EVs before the deadline.
One standout from 2025: Toyota led Houston in electrified vehicle sales—an important indicator of how mainstream and familiar EVs and hybrids have become.
A Strong Economy and Confidence in The Market
Fleet sales (vehicles purchased by businesses, rental agencies, and service companies) are often a good indicator of regional economic confidence. In Q3 2025, fleet market share in Houston landed at 12.1%, up significantly from the year before. While slightly lower than earlier in 2025, the overall trajectory shows that businesses have remained confident enough to update and expand their fleets.
That’s good news. It means companies are moving, hiring, and growing. A strong local economy always supports a strong automotive market.
Speaking of strength, September 2025 set a new all-time record in Houston for 12-month rolling total vehicle sales: 391,514 units. That’s higher than at any point in our region’s automotive history. Houston is not just stable, it’s thriving.
Prices Are Stabilizing
After several years of rising prices across the industry, Houston finally saw retail prices begin to cool slightly. The average retail sales price in Q3 2025 dropped to $50,917, down from the previous quarter. Truck and SUV prices also saw a small dip.
For buyers, especially families and first-time shoppers, this is a welcome shift. Combine better pricing with wider inventory and stronger competition between brands, and 2026 is shaping up to be a buyer-friendly year.
What It All Means for You at the 2026 Houston Auto Show
Put simply: this is a great time to be here.
Whether you’re actively shopping or just exploring, everything about the Houston auto market is on an upward trend. Sales are strong. Selection is diverse. Electrified vehicles are more available. Prices are stabilizing.
Houston’s automotive pulse is as strong as it’s ever been, and 2026 promises even more momentum.
So enjoy the show. Explore widely. Take your time. Ask questions. Dream big. With the market moving the way it is, there has truly never been a better moment to start thinking about your next vehicle.
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