SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Edmunds said this week it expects December sales to total 1,688,167 new vehicles and the Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate to come in at 17.8 million. If realized, the prediction means the industry is on pace to break the previous December record set in 2004. It also means the industry would finish 2015 with sales totaling 17.5 million units, beating the previous sales record of 17.35 million units in 2000.

The predicted sales total would also mean a month-over-month increase of 27.9% increase and a 12.3% year-over-year increase year over year. Edmunds said it also expects the industry to retail 2.59 million used cars in December, while fleet-related transactions are expected to account for 15.2% of total sales.

“It’s truly remarkable that the auto industry is finishing off its best year ever just six years after the depths of the Great Recession,” says Edmunds.com Director of Industry Analysis Jessica Caldwell. “Low APR offers and tumbling gas prices are making it easy for shoppers to buy or lease a new car, but don’t overlook the products themselves. If you’re buying a new car today, you’re getting a safer, more fuel-efficient and more technologically-packed vehicle than ever before. Automakers are doing a great job giving the people what they want in a new car.”

Edmunds said GM is expected to lead the pack in December with sales of 287,203 units, followed by Toyota and Ford at 243,735 and 243,590, respectively.