The nation's largest carmakers each reported increased sales in 2015, including new annual records for a pair of companies.
American Honda Motor Co. and Nissan Group set new yearly benchmarks for sales in the U.S. after they jumped by 3 percent and 7 percent, respectively, compared to 2014 numbers.
Honda also reported its best December sales numbers in history as its monthly totals grew by 10 percent compared to the final month of 2014.
The Honda brand saw sales gains of more than 12 percent last month, while its Acura line fell by 5.5 percent. Overall, however, both brands increased their sales in 2015.
"With a similar pace of new products coming this year, we're anticipating a very robust 2016," said Honda division executive Jeff Conrad.
Nissan, meanwhile, set a record in December after sales grew by 19 percent. Nissan models sold 18 percent more than in December 2014, while Infiniti models increased by 26 percent. For the full year, Nissan sales increased by more than 7 percent.
Fellow Japanese automaker Toyota reported December sales increases of nearly 11 percent, while overall 2015 sales jumped by more than 5 percent.
Among U.S. automakers, Fiat Chrysler reported its best December sales ever following a 13 percent increase. FCA also led its Detroit rivals with a 7 percent sales gain for all of 2015.
General Motors saw a 6 percent increase in December and a 5 percent jump for the full year. Ford also grew by 5 percent for the year but saw its December sales increase by 8 percent — its best December since 2005.
Those six companies comprised more than 75 percent of the U.S. auto market in November, according to numbers from The Wall Street Journal.
Reports anticipated 17.5 million vehicles sold in the U.S. for all of 2015, which would break the previous record set in 2000.
"The U.S. economy continues to expand and the most important factors that drive demand for new vehicles are in place, so we expect to see a second consecutive year of record industry sales in 2016,” said GM chief economist Mustafa Mohatarem.
Volkswagen, however, saw another monthly sales decline as it continues to deal with the fallout from its diesel emissions scandal. VW sales fell by 9 percent in December and by 5 percent for the full year.
