US auto sales expected to hit an all-time high in 2015

He also said that “Ford-brand SUVs delivered their best sales results in more than a decade, with our newest SUVs leaving dealer lots in a matter of days”.

Mr Weber said the industry outperformed general economic conditions past year, with sales up 3.8 per cent compared to 2014. Sales of the Dodge Caravan rose 13% to 12,670 units in December.

Low gas prices and historically low interest rates in the US left more money in buyers’ pockets.

Heading into December, truck sales represented 55.2 percent, or 8.7 million, of vehicles sold in the United States.

USA sales continue to be driven by low gasoline prices, pent-up demand, widespread credit availability, leasing, fatter discounts and employment gains. The Federal Reserve’s recent interest rate increase will not be enough to deter sales.

For the full year, GM said retail sales increased 8% from 2014 at 3.1 million vehicles. Buyers who held off purchases during the recession have been lured back into the market by enticing new vehicles like the Jeep Cherokee and the revamped Ford F-150 pickup. It was the sixth straight year of growth, the longest run since World War II. December sales of 128,874 vehicles, were down 1.9 per cent – bucking a multi-month trend of record-breaking monthly sales. “For the second straight year, the company has topped 2 million in USA sales”.

Volkswagen AG’s VW brand sales fell 9 per cent in December after a 25 per cent drop in November as the company’s diesel emissions scandal pressured performance. The company fell short of analysts estimates in the third quarter and forecast a less profitable fourth quarter because of higher expenses and marketing costs.

The Justice Department’s move on Monday potentially exposes Volkswagen to billions in fines for clean air violations. Trucks were not the only hot sellers at year-end-Ford Fusion also made an impact on sales in the month of December, according to Merkle.

Several forecasters, including TrueCar Inc, said 2016 sales will reach 18 million vehicles.

“Low-APR offers and tumbling gas prices are making it easy for shoppers to buy or lease a new auto, but don’t overlook the products themselves”.

Toyota’s Lexus brand, which was the US luxury sales leader before the 2011 quake and tsunami in Japan, was right behind BMW, at 344,601 vehicles sold, up 11 percent.

For the 34th year in a row, the Ford F-series was the top selling vehicle in America.

The subcompact Fiesta and compact Focus cars sold by Ford Motor Co. fell 5 per cent and 26 per cent, respectively, in the US market, while sales of the Canadian-built Edge crossover surged 29 per cent. Before 2000, cars never accounted for less than half of USA sales.

The growth in auto sales is expected to continue in 2016; most forecasts put sales this year above 18 million.

“The gains were quite extraordinary in 2015 and they will be harder to come by this year”, said Mark Wakefield, managing director and head of the automotive practice for consultant AlixPartners. Honda’s December sales rose 10 percent.

Nationwide, December sales are expected to be even stronger, with sales expected to jump 13 percent.

AP Auto Writer Dee-Ann Durbin contributed to this report.