U.S. auto sales are expected to bounce back in June from a surprising slump in May as a boost in incentives lures more buyers to showrooms,

industry analysts said this week, according to a Reuters report.

Strong June sales would offer reassurance that American consumers are still willing to spend. But another weak month would raise a much stronger warning signal about the health of the industry and the fledgling U.S. economic recovery, according to Retuers.

Auto sales account for roughly 20 percent of U.S. retail spending.

On average, Wall Street analysts expect June sales, to be reported July 2, to run at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 16.7 million

vehicles. That would be below April's rate of 17.4 million but well ahead of May's 15.7 million, the lowest rate in nearly four years.

National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Chief Economist Paul Taylor said this year's

incentives have brought in some new buyers early, but will likely pull few sales out of the second half's totals. Final results for the year are expected to be at least 16.4 million units of light vehicles sold, the fourth best year in history, according to Taylor.