Feb. 25, 2013—The new-vehicle retail selling rate in February has remained above 12 million units, according to a monthly sales forecast released by J.D. Power and Associates’ Power Information Network and LMC Automotive.
February new-vehicle retail sales are expected to come in at 931,100 vehicles, which represents a seasonally adjusted annualized rate (SAAR) of 12.1 million units, stronger than the 11.7 million SAAR in February of last year.
"All signs of the industry's health are positive right now," said John Humphrey , senior vice president of the global automotive practice at J.D. Power and Associates. "Average transaction prices are up, incentives are stable, leasing is at a healthy level and newly redesigned models continue to make an impact on the marketplace."
Total light-vehicle sales in February 2013 are projected to reach 1,176,200 units, a seven percent increase from February 2012 and the fourth consecutive month with the selling rate at or above 15.2 million units.
LMC Automotive has also increased its 2013 U.S. forecast for total light-vehicle sales to 15.3 million units from 15.1 million units.
