by Calculated Risk on 2/24/2013 02:18:00 PM

Note: The automakers will report February vehicle sales this coming Friday, March 1st. The consensus is for sales of around 15.2 million SAAR.

From Edmunds.com: Despite Rising Gas Prices, February Auto Sales Strong at Estimated 15.5 Million SAAR, says Edmunds.com

Edmunds.com ... forecasts that 1,198,538 new cars and trucks will be sold in the U.S. in February for an estimated Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate (SAAR) this month of 15.5 million light vehicles. The projected sales [NSA] will be a 14.9 percent increase from January 2013, and a 4.3 percent increase from February 2012.

“Car sales are persevering despite economic factors on people’s minds like rising gas prices and the implementation of the payroll tax,” says Edmunds.com Senior Analyst Jessica Caldwell. “Pent-up demand and widespread access to credit are keeping up car sales momentum.”

The following table shows annual light vehicle sales, and the change from the previous year.  Light vehicle sales have seen double digit growth for three consecutive years.  The 2013 forecast was from Edmunds.com, but it appears sales were above expectations in January and February - and the annual forecast will probably be increased.

Light Vehicle Sales
	Sales (millions)	Annual Change
2005	16.9	0.5%
2006	16.5	-2.6%
2007	16.1	-2.5%
2008	13.2	-18.0%
2009	10.4	-21.2%
2010	11.6	11.1%
2011	12.7	10.2%
2012	14.4	13.4%
20131	15.0	3.7%
1Forecast