US car industry sales explode as foreign brands up market share

Detroit

CARMAKERS have enjoyed an unequalled run of success in the United States because of pent-up consumer demand, cheap petrol prices and low interest rates. But despite record sales, manufacturers must continue updating their vehicles and improving technology to keep the good times rolling.

As the car industry tallies its final numbers for 2015, it appears certain that annual sales in the United States will eclipse the previous record of 17.4 million set in 2000. Yet while the industry basks in its accomplishment of returning to sales levels not seen since before the most recent recession, the market looks far different today from what it was 15 years ago.