The result breaks the previous sales record set in 2000.
DETROIT, MI - Sales of new cars and trucks in the U.S. hit an all-time high of 17,470,499 units in 2015, according to figures from Autodata Corp.
The result breaks the previous sales record set in 2000, when 17,402,486 new vehicles were sold, according to figures from Automotive News, and is a 5 percent rise above 2014's total.
Every major automaker reported a year-over-year rise in 2015, even scandal-plagued Volkswagen, which reported a 0.5 percent sales increase in the U.s.
The Detroit Three automakers sales all improved by single digits.
Related: Detroit Three all have strong 2015 as industry chases sales record
Low gas prices, eased lending and generally favorable economic conditions have been the drivers for the rise in sales, as well as pent-up demand from the Great Recession.
Larger vehicles such as SUVs and crossovers have been the vehicles of choice for American consumers, and industry observers expect that end to continue in 2016.
According to Autodata Corp., sales of passenger cars in 2015 dipped 2 percent to 7,740,912 units, while sales of light trucks grew 13 percent to 9,729,587 units.
This year, analysts expect new car and truck sales to be in line with, or even stronger, than 2015.
David Muller is the automotive and business reporter for MLive Media Group in Detroit. Email him at dmuller@mlive.com, follow him on Twitter or find him on Facebook.