A host of US auto industry figures have expressed their belief that there is light at the end of the tunnel for the country's sales volumes, Automotive News reported on Tuesday (6th January).

December sales plunged by 35.6 per cent to take the full-year total for 2008 to 13.2 million units - a figure which represents a drop of 18.5 per cent from the levels recorded in 2007.

While most commentators agree that 2009 will begin in much the same way, many have suggested that an upturn is on the cards in the medium term as sales eventually find a bottom.

For example, Mark Fields, Ford's President of the Americas, commented: "I hate to say (we've) bottomed out, because every time we say 'bottomed out', we find a new bottom. But I'm cautiously optimistic."

John Casesa, Automotive Adviser for Casesa Shapiro Group LLC, revealed that he expects annual sales rates to remain between ten million and 12 million as fundamental drivers struggle to recover.

This compares to Ford's prediction of 12.2 million, but Mr Casesa also admitted that some of the forecasts may be unnecessarily gloomy, in much the same way as they were too optimistic last year.

"People are so pessimistic, it wouldn't be hard to be surprised on the
upside," he told the news provider.

Meanwhile, troubled giant General Motors - which predicted light-vehicle sales of between 10.5 million and 12 million in a December report - said there is "some upside" to its forecast.

As Mike DiGiovani, Executive Director of Industry Analysis, explained, Barack Obama's ascendancy to president could provide a boost, particularly if his stimulus package leads to cheaper gas.

"As the Obama administration comes in…there'll be a lot of excitement
generated across the country,'' he said in an interview with Automotive News.

Source:

U.S. sales may pick up by summer (06/01/09)
http://www.autonews.com/article/20090107/COPY/301079927/1078