by Calculated Risk on 1/04/2012 10:25:00 AM

The key number for the economy is the seasonally adjusted annual sales rate (SAAR) compared to the last few months, not the year-over-year comparison provided by the automakers. Once all the reports are released, I'll post a graph of the estimated total December light vehicle sales (SAAR) - usually around 4 PM ET.

From the Detroit Free Press: Chrysler sales up 37% in December; Ford posts 10% gain; GM sees 5% uptick

Chrysler said today sales of new cars and trucks in the U.S. increased 37% in December compared to the same month a year ago ... it sold 138,019 vehicles in December, marking its best month since May 2008.

Ford gained a more modest 10% increase in December from a year ago on sales of 210,140 ...

General Motors reported a smaller 5% increase for the month for a total of 234,351 vehicles sold.

The consensus is for sales to be unchanged from November at around 13.6 million SAAR.