December sales to hit 17 million for fifth straight year, Cox Automotive finds

Cox Automotive has released its December 2019 U.S. vehicle sales forecast, which predicts a drop of 50,000 units since last December for a total of 1.58 million total this month.

While these figures represent a 3.2-percent drop year-over-year, they are up nearly 11 percent from last month and will ensure at least 17 million total vehicle sales for a record fifth straight year. The sales volume is based on 25 selling days, which is one day less than November 2019 or from the same month the previous year.  

"One key factor for this December's results is the sales calendar," Cox Automotive Senior Economist Charlie Chesbrough said in a press release. "With 25 selling days, one less than last December, a sales volume decline is expected. In addition, Thanksgiving and Black Friday deals were late last month, shortening the holiday shopping period and possibly pulling some December vehicle buyers forward. In fact, last month's sales volume was the highest November in history and 30,000-50,000 [units] above recent years."