U.S. Auto Sales Could Rise 11% in April

The annual selling rate of cars and light trucks in the U.S. will climb to 13.8 million units this month compared with 13.2 million units in April 2011, predicts J.D. Power and Associates. The annual pace in March was 14.4 million units.

Power predicts demand will grow 11% this month from April 2011, after adjusting to reflect three fewer selling days this April. Ignoring the difference in the number of selling days, the research group expects sales of 1.1 million vehicles this month compared with 1.2 million units in April 2011 and 1.4 million units in March 2012.

Power's estimates are based on dealer reports of sales in the first two weeks of the month.

Unadjusted retail sales, which exclude fleet sales, will total 894,100 vehicles in April compared with 935,700 units a year ago, according to the firm. It says retail sales are the best gauge of underlying consumer demand.