Carmakers finish strong in 2014; are even better days ahead?

Buoyed by a resurgent economy, holiday sales, cheap gasoline and a love affair with pickup trucks, Americans headed to car dealers in droves last month, pushing full-year sales to what's likely to be the highest level since 2006.
Toyota, Fiat Chrysler, Nissan, Honda and General Motors all reported strong December and annual US sales early today, with Nissan and Honda hitting record numbers for the year. Ford faltered but remained the top-selling brand in the US last year.
The figures pointed to a strong finish for 2014. Analysts are predicting sales of 16.5 million vehicles, up 6 percent from last year and a return to pre-recession levels. And Americans are expected to continue buying cars in big numbers this year.

Sales are forecast to reach 17 million for the first time since 2005, close to the record of 17.3 million set in 2000.
While sales will grow this year, they will grow at a slower pace than the double-digit increases the country saw in 2011 and 2012, when the industry was still powering back from the recession.
That's good news for buyers, who can expect to see bigger discounts in competitive segments like midsize cars as automakers fight to get noticed and steal sales from each other.

Kelley Blue Book expected December sales to be up nearly 10 percent over the previous year to 1.5 million, thanks to holiday promotions and milder-than-usual weather.

Automakers report US December and full-year US sales on today.
Fiat Chrysler led the way with a 16 percent increase over 2013, selling just over 2 million cars and trucks. It was the company's best year since 2006.
Fiat Chrysler was led by the Ram pickup truck, with sales up 24 percent for the year. Pickup truck sales rebounded for nearly all automakers through 2014 as small businesses regained confidence and gas prices fell, making the trucks more attractive.