2011 to show strongest US auto sales in three years

After years of recession-tinged struggles, the U.S. auto industry is expected to enjoy its best sales year since 2008, according to a report from price-tracking website TrueCar.com. The report noted some 12.8 million cars have been sold this year, the most since the 13.2 million sold in 2008. The website expects 13.8 million vehicle to be sold next year. J.D. Power and Associates recently predicted similarly strong sales, although its anticipated 12.7 million sales of light vehicles this year was slightly smaller than that projected by TrueCard. "This year was absent of a blockbuster sales month, but we see this pace of growth as healthy and sustainable in the coming year where the industry is going to sell nearly 14 million units based on the merits of its products and improved economy," Jesse Toprak, vice president of industry trends at TrueCar.com. Last month, Bloomberg also projected that auto sales will reach their highest level since 2008. The reports bode well for the automotive industry, which usually falls victim to weal consumer sentiment incurred by market downturns.