With the worst of the economic downturn likely behind us, the United States auto market is expected to climb as high as 11.8 million units next year, a new study finds. If that prediction holds true, it would mark the first year-on-year sales increase since 2005.
According to the latest sales forecast from CSM Worldwide, U.S. auto sales will climb to 11.8 million units in 2010. That figure marks a 600,000 unit increase over CSM Worldwide’s previous forecast.
“The move reflects cautious optimism that we will see gradual improvement in core market fundamentals following the first quarter of next year,” CSM analyst Joe Barker told Reuters.
In a separate sales forecast, J.D. Power expects next year’s auto sales to be capped at 11.5 million units. Either way, the U.S. market looks to be poised for its first yearly sales increase in five years.
CSM expects 10.1 million vehicle to be sold in the U.S. this year.
