Year-End Sales Fall Flat in U.S.

Carmakers sold 1.36 million vehicles in the American market last month only 4,300 units more than in December 2012. Analysts say widespread winter storms deterred buyers.

December's annualized pace fell to 15.4 million from 16.4 million in November, according to Autodata Corp. The analyst firm says the rate for December 2012 was 15.2 million.

But full-year sales totaled 15.6 million units compared with 14.5 million in 2012, led by surging demand for American brands. Detroit's traditional domestic nameplates increased their share by 0.7 points to 45.2% last year. Asian brands lost half a point, finishing 2013 with 45.1% of the market. European nameplates earned a 9.7% share, down 0.2 points from 2012.

December demand for traditional U.S. brands dropped by 1,700 units to 605,600 units. A 6% decline for General Motors offset gains of 2% at Ford and 6% at Chrysler.

Sales of European marques shrank 1% to 152,700 units last month because of a 23% drop in demand for Volkswagen's namesake models. It was the fourth consecutive month of double-digit decline for VW, whose full-year volume fell 7% to 407,700 units.

U.S. demand for Mercedes-Benz models jumped 18% to 35,800 units in December, pushing its full-year volume to 334,300 units. BMW finished the year at 309,300 units, as its December sales stalled at 37,400 units. Audi's sales climbed 15% to 17,000 units in December and 14% to 158,100 vehicles for the year.

Asian carmakers grew 1% to 602,100 units in December and finished the year at 6.6 million units, up 7%. Lower sales last month for Toyota (-2%), Kia (-14%) and Mazda (-16%) offset gains at Honda (+10%) and Nissan (+11%).