Detroit revs up auto sales

GlobalPost

2011 has been the best year for the auto industry since 2008, and analysts are optimistic that 2012 will be even better.

According to J.D. Power and Associates, total sales will reach 12.7 million vehicles in 2011 and 13.8 million next year, USA Today reported.

Chrysler has been especially strong this month. So, too, have Hyundai and Kia. All three posted sales gains of more than 30 percent in December, according to TrueCar.

That trend has held for much of 2011. 

“December’s sales rate was a continuation of the rather slow and steady recovery that now symbolizes 2011,” Jesse Toprak, Vice President of Industry Trends and Insights for TrueCar.com said in a statement.

“We see this pace of growth as healthy and sustainable in the coming year where the industry is going to sell nearly 14 million units based on the merits of its products and improved economy,” Toprak added.

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