American Auto Market Surges 15%

Carmakers sold 1.14 million light vehicles in America in November compared with 994,700 units a year earlier, paced by a 43% surge in small-car demand for small cars, 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.

Domestic brands boosted volume 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.

November volume for Asian marques in the U.S. 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).

Hyundai and Kia increased sales 8% to 53,500 vehicles and 11% to 41,100 units, respectively. Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti, Kia, Nissan and Subaru were among the brands reporting November-record volume.

American demand for European brands zoomed 28% to 136,500 vehicles last month, including big gains at Volkswagen (+29% to 36,700 vehicles) and BMW (+45% to 31,200 units).

In the January-November period, American sales have climbed 14% to 13.16 million vehicles.