U.S. Auto Sales In 2015 Set Record

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Automakers on January set a new U.S. sales record for 2015 even as December sales fell short of expectations, and most forecasters said the new year will be even better.

For the full year in 2015, U.S. sales hit a record of 17.47 million vehicles, breaking the mark of 17.41 million vehicles in 2000, according to Autodata Corp. Low gasoline prices, easy credit, and moderate economic growth gave a boost to the industry.

Autodata said December sales on an annualized rate, accounting for seasonal factors, were 17.34 million vehicles, well below the 18.1 million vehicles expected by a Thomson Reuters poll of 38 economists and analysts.

The most important factors in these strong sales numbers are employment and growth in personal income, which will remain strong this year.

General Motors, the top seller in the United States, said its monthly sales rose 5.7 percent from a year ago, and Ford Motor Co. reported a jump of 8 percent.

Sales of Ford's F-Series pickup truck rose 15 percent in December. The F-Series, led by the F-150 pickup, extended two streaks: 39 years as the best-selling truck in the United States and 34 years as the best-selling vehicle of any kind.

U.S. consumers continued in December and in 2015 to shift from cars, including sedans and hatchbacks, to SUVs, crossovers and trucks. They were encouraged by low gasoline prices and better fuel economy for the larger vehicles, said Mark LeNeve, head of Ford's U.S. sales, noting that gasoline prices topped $4 per gallon in 2008.

Toyota Motor Corp. had a gain of 11 percent. Honda Motor Co. set an annual record for U.S. sales at 1.59 million vehicles, up 3 percent. Honda's December sales rose 10 percent.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. posted double-digit U.S. sales gains in December, Fiat Chrysler up 13 percent and Nissan up 19 percent.  

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