2010 U.S. Auto Sales: A Race to the End

Washington DC December 6, 2010; The AIADA newsletter reported that November sales matched October's brisk pace, another sign the auto recovery is gaining momentum.

Automotive News asked: How are individual automakers faring as 2010 comes to a close? After three years behind Toyota, Ford will claw back to its traditional No. 2 spot. And Hyundai-Kia Group may join the previously all-American/Japanese Big 6, depending upon its close race with Nissan.

Many familiar sales rivalries already have been resolved. But in some races a hot model or a wad of factory cash could still grab the checkered flag. For all automakers, things are looking up. November's annual selling rate was 12.2 million, matching October as the strongest SAAR since Cash for Clunkers.

The two months are a turning point, says forecaster Mike Jackson of IHS Automotive. "We've hit an inflection point toward higher sustained levels of sales," he says. "We expect to hit another inflection point in the second half of 2011 to an even higher sales level."

A couple of year-end questions remain unresolved. Will Hyundai-Kia replace Nissan as the No. 6 auto group? Will Subaru outsell Volkswagen? And will Mercedes-Benz snatch the luxury crown from Lexus?