LoginU.S. sales of new cars are on pace to pass the 15 million unit mark for the sixth consecutive month in April 2013, according to Kelley Blue Book.
Showing particular strength was Ford, which saw its} first quarter North American profit may top 12 percent, according to analysts at JP Morgan Chase and Morgan Stanley. If Ford first quarter pre-tax profits match or exceeded the $2.7 billion analysts believe the automaker earned, 2013 will mark the company's most profitable first quarter in history, according to Autoblog.
"Ford is poised to post significant gains, with an increase of 15.3 percent because of strong demand for the Fusion and Focus, both of which improved sales by more than 20 percent in the first quarter," said Kelley Blue Book's Alec Gutierrez . "Consumer demand for new vehicles is strong, which is evident in the strength of the retail market."
Factors contributing to the strong automotive sales numbers are low interest rates on loans, high trade-in values on used cars and improved access to credit for potential buyers. Kelly Blue Book at the sale of light vehicles will by months end pass 1.3 million units, an 11.4 percent gain over February of 2012.
Of the 8 top automakers doing business in the U.S. all but Hyundai are expected experience a decline in sales.
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