2013 could be a 16 million sales year, says CNW

2013 could be a 16 million sales year, says CNW

CNW Research president Art Spinella is feeling upbeat about 2013. If all things fall into place, it is extremely possible 2013 new-car sales would hit 16 million units, thanks in large part to those who postponed replacing their unencumbered vehicle. (An unencumbered vehicle is one that the owner has paid off.)

Two trends contribute to the large pool of potential buyers. Next year 9.6 million vehicles will come off lease. And nearly 48 percent of the owners of unencumbered vehicles say they are inclined to replace them in the next year. Thats a total of 4.37 million buyers.

If consumer confidence is strong – and the doings in Washington will certainly affect that – the large number of new and more fuel-efficient vehicles coming in 2013 could be further inducement to buy.