SUVs, muscle cars help auto industry maintain momentum

SUVs, muscle cars help auto industry maintain momentum

Buoyed by the momentum, the National Automobile Dealers Association this week raised its full-year sales forecast to 17.2 million vehicles from just under 17 million.

Consumers are finding a number of reasons to buy, including an improved job market, low interest rates, a robust stock market and low gas prices.

According to AAA, the average price for a gallon of gasoline in the U.S. Wednesday was $2.76, compared with $3.67 on July 1, 2014.

— Nissan's U.S. sales rose more than 13 percent in June.

Besides the Rogue, sales of the midsize Altima rose 13 percent, bucking the trend in that segment.