US auto sales could increase to 11.2 million units on an annualised basis in December, a leading industry body predicted yesterday (23rd December).

In addition to this figure - which would be a rise of nine per cent - forecaster JD Power revealed that it expects an estimated 1,029,600 cars and light trucks to be sold over the course of the month.

The body announced that if the estimate for December proves to be correct, full-year sales in the US would be 10.4 million vehicles, which would represent the lowest total since 1982.

Gary Dilts, Senior Vice-President at JD Power, said: "The market is continuing to improve, with the relative strength of December sales supporting a year-end rally."

JD Power also noted that it is not changing its prediction that US sales could reach 11.5 million vehicles next year.

According to Reuters, analysts were not anticipating the strength of the December sales and were expecting a 2009 full-year total of closer to 10.3 million vehicles.

Source:

JD Power sees U.S. auto sales gain in December (23/12/09)

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