AutoNation is one of the largest chains of used and new dealerships in the country, so good news for it is usually positive for the entire industry. The company's CEO, Mike Jackson, was very optimistic during a recent appearance on CNBC, issuing a projection for 2012 sales that jumped beyond those of most other analysts.
While sites like Kelley Blue Book have predicted the auto industry to sell somewhere around 13.3 million vehicles in 2012, Jackson sees things ending up a bit better, with more than 14 million cars sold. The CEO has reason to be positive, as his company's fourth quarter results were the best in history, with record revenue of $3.7 billion and earnings per share of 51 cents.
"That says something for the entire auto industry and for the economy recovery that's under way in the United States," Jackson told the news source. "Autos will be a bright spot for the U.S. economy this year."
If you're planning to buy a new car this year, don't ignore the auto maintenance on your current vehicle. A working automobile that has all of its car repairs taken care of is worth much more as a trade-in than one that has numerous mechanical issues.