by Calculated Risk on 12/26/2016 09:53:00 AM

The automakers will report December vehicle sales on Wednesday, January 4th.

Note: There were 27 selling days in December 2016, down from 28 in December 2015.

From WardsAuto: December Light-Vehicle Sales to Push U.S. Market to New Record

December U.S. light-vehicle sales are forecast to finish strong enough for 2016 to top 2015’s record 17.396 million units. However, actual volume largely will be determined by results in the final third of the month, because a major portion of December’s deliveries typically occur after Christmas.

The forecast 17.7 million-unit seasonally adjusted annual rate is below November’s 17.8 million, but above December 2015’s 17.4 million.
...
Despite the drop in December’s volume, total 2016 sales will end at 17.41 million units, barely edging out the all-time high set last year.
emphasis added

Here is a table (source: BEA) showing the 5 top years for light vehicle sales through November, and the top 5 full years. 2016 will probably finish in the top 3, and could be the best year ever - just beating last year.

Light Vehicle Sales, Top 5 Years and Through November
	Through November		Full Year
	Year	Sales (000s)	Year	Sales (000s)
1	2000	16,109	2015	17,396
2	2001	15,812	2000	17,350
3	2016	15,783	2001	17,122
4	2015	15,766	2005	16,948
5	1999	15,498	1999	16,894