The seasonally adjusted, annualized rate of sales for December is forecast to come in at 11 million to 13 million, TrueCar, J.D. Power and LMC Automotive said, down 3.5 million from 2020, and down or off slightly from the 13.12 million rate in October and November.
Helped by a strong first-half volume, U.S. sales are on track to rise slightly to 14.95 million, J.D. Power and LMC estimate.
Most automakers are scheduled to release December and fourth-quarter sales on Jan. 4.
The lack of new cars and light trucks continues to drive prices to all-time highs and discounts to record lows.
King said average transaction prices in December are expected to reach a record $45,743 — the first time ever above $45,000 and 20 percent higher than December 2020, when prices eclipsed $38,000 for the first time.
The average manufacturer incentive per vehicle is on pace to hit a low for the month of December, at $1,598, a decrease of $2,291 from a year earlier.
