Slump forecast for US sales

August car sales in the US are expected to fall 5.2 per cent from a year ago, according to consultancies J.D. Power and LMC Automotive. Jeff Schuster, head of forecasting at LMC, says “With mixed economic signals, it certainly looks like U.S. auto sales may have peaked in 2015.” However, he adds that it is important to "focus on the sustainable high level of demand. Peak does not mean doom and gloom, and while the industry faces risk, it is not destined for a pullback.” The consultancies say that they expect total sales in August to be 1,492,700 units - down from 1,574,938 units a year earlier. US carmakers will report sales next week.