Auto industry predicts huge Memorial Day sales | Detroit Free Press | freep.com

Auto industry predicts huge Memorial Day sales | Detroit Free Press | freep.com:

Auto industry predicts huge Memorial Day sales

7:27 AM, May 24, 2013   |  

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New GMC trucks are displayed at Hilltop Buick Pontiac-GMC in this 2009 file photo. / Justin Sullivan / Getty Images

By Chris Woodyard

USA TODAY

• FILED UNDER

• Local News
• Michigan News
• GMC

Memorial Day weekend could be a smashing three days for the auto industry, which is pushing for the highest level of sales this year since 2002, forecasters predict.

So far, new-vehicle sales to individual customers are keeping the industry on track for sales above 15 million this year. When all new-vehicle sales are counted in, the total could top 16 million for the first time this decade, LMC Automotive forecasts.

Sales this month could be the strongest since January. It's being driven by sales of pickup trucks, which are back in favor as the construction industry and homebuilding rebound.

Because they are big, heavy vehicles that often command big prices, the auto industry is seeing customers paying more for vehicles on average at $28,921. It's the highest ever for May and 3% higher than the same month last year.

Kelley Blue Book says pickup sales are contributing to a 6% gain in sales this month. "The Big Three will continue to benefit from a strong pickup truck market, with each domestic automaker anticipated to post gains slightly better than the overall industry average," says Alec Gutierrez, senior market analyst, in a statement.

Pickups ares selling at an average discount of 20% this weekend, says consumer advise site NerdWallet. One of the best deals is a 2013 GMC Sierra, which comes with 0% financing over 60 months and is beign cleared out to make way for a new 2014 model.