Despite strong sales numbers in May, industry observers have remained pessimistic in the auto industry's ability to maintain its momentum.
While overall consumer confidence has yet to recover, June sales numbers are looking to keep the sales pace going smoothly. Via Inside Line, 1,270,900 auto sales are estimated for the month of June. Continuing an upward trajectory, the figure is a 20.7 percent increase over the performance of June last year. Edmunds.com reports an estimated Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate (SAAR) of 13.9 million light vehicles sold for 2012.
According to Edmunds.com Senior Analyst Jessica Caldwell, "While a 13.9 million SAAR is not as impressive as the performance in the first quarter of this year, this month's results are still strong, considering that deferred demand following last year's earthquake has virtually dried up.
"But the healthiest sign for the industry is the pure volume of sales. June is expected to be the third-highest month since May 2008."
As far as independent automaker performance, no major increase in sales are expected for any make in particular. However, expect to see a massive year-over-year increase from Toyota and Honda at 66.3 percent and 50.9 percent, respectively. Of course, the numbers are hardly relevant as last year's earthquake caused June of 2011 to be a throwaway month.
