Car Sales Jump 15% in America

Automakers sold 1.14 million light vehicles in the U.S. in November compared with 994,700 units a year earlier, paced by a 43% surge in small-car demands, according to Autodata Corp.

The total equates to an annual sales rate of 15.54 million vehicles the highest since January 2008 and compares with 13.55 million units in November 2011.

In the January-November period, U.S. volume has climbed 14% to 13.16 million vehicles.

Domestic brands boosted sales 7% to 482,600 vehicles last month, led again by Chrysler, which hiked sales 13% to 119,000 units. Demand grew 6% to 177,100 vehicles at Ford and 3% to 186,500 units at General Motors.

American sales of European makes zoomed 28% in November to 136,500 vehicles, including big gains at Volkswagen (+29% to 36,700 vehicles) and BMW (+45% to 31,200 units). Mercedes-Benz car sales climbed 13% to 30,300 units.

Audi and Mercedes were among the brands reporting November-record sales. VW posted its strongest November volume since 1973. BMW and Porsche each had its best sales month ever in the U.S.

BMW has narrowed Mercedes' cumulative lead in the 2012 U.S. luxury sales race to less than 1,900 vehicles from 2,800 units a month earlier and 5,300 units in September.

November volume for Asian marques jumped 21% to 524,400 vehicles. Group sales soared 39% (to 116,600 vehicles) at Honda. Demand rose at Toyota (+17% to 161,700 units) and Nissan (+13% to 96,200 units).