American market recovers. - Unlike the European market, the American automobile market recovered its route to growth. According to the latest figures from the Center for Automotive Research (CAR), sales of vehicles in the United States (cars and trucks) increased by 13.4% to 14.5 million units in 2012. This is the highest level for five years (16 million units in 2007). It was a surprise for the specialists who were indeed expecting growth but of a single figure at the start of the year. Sales of cars in the United States even recorded stronger growth than the first world market, the Chinese market, which recorded limited growth of +7.1% in 2012 (15.5 million units). This recovery of growth can be explained by several reasons: the good performance of the American economy with a GNP up by about 2% last year and which should see a similar rate of growth this year; and particularly low interest rates for purchasers of new vehicles, as well as a fuel price slightly up on last year. To this can be added the launch of new models that attracted many buyers. Nevertheless, the growth has not been to the benefit of all manufacturers. Although GM, Ford and Chrysler remain the three biggest manufacturers in the United States, they are progressing less quickly than the market and capture no more than 44.8% of their domestic market (17.9% for GM, 15.5% for Ford and 11.4% for Chrysler) to the advantage of foreign groups that continue their offensive - in particular the Japanese groups (Toyota, Honda and Nissan). (IL/transl.fl)