Paul Taylor, chief economist of the National Automobile Dealers Association, said 2012 will be another rebuilding year for the industry, and predicts sales will reach 13.945 million units this year.
Kelley Blue Book analysts project January new-vehicle sales to pace at a 13.2 million seasonally adjusted annualized rate, and lists the European debt crisis and heightened tensions with Iran as threats to industry sales this year.
Fitch Ratings said it expects the financial profiles of U.S. automakers and parts suppliers to remain strong in 2012 despite sluggish global economic growth and weaker-than-expected North American light-vehicle demand.
The Detroit 3 auto manufacturers held a key inventory advantage over their competitors, which led to higher U.S. new-car and light-truck sales in December, according to Paul Taylor, chief economist of the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA).
A sales forecast by Edmunds.com indicated that an estimated 13.6 million new cars and trucks will be sold in 2012.