NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - Apr 3, 2012) - Strong sales in March are a positive sign of recovery in the U.S. auto sector. On average, 34 analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters expect March sales to hit an annualized pace of 14.75 million vehicles. That would be up from 13.3 million a year ago but down from 15.1 million in February. Five Star Equities examines the outlook for companies in the Automotive Industry and provides equity research on General Motors Company (NYSE: [ GM ]) and Toyota Motor Corp. (NYSE: [ TM ]).

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"The current level of gas prices will further accelerate the release of pent-up demand as consumers lean towards significantly more fuel efficient new vehicles while used prices are still strong," Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas said. Current trends make Morgan Stanley's projection of 14 million vehicle sales in the United States this year look "very conservative," Jonas said in a research note.

Consumers who held off purchases during the economic downturn -- which led to the worst U.S. auto sales since World War II adjusted for population -- are returning to the market, said Edmunds.com analyst Jessica Caldwell. "Vehicle trade-in rates have achieved sustained highs in recent months, which suggests that consumers have decided that they've held on to their cars for too long," Caldwell said. "And with the average credit score for new car buyers at its lowest level since the first half of 2008, the market is clearly becoming a friendlier place for all buyers."

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General Motors Co and PSA Peugeot Citroen SA announced the creation of a long-term and broad-scale global strategic alliance. The alliance is structured around two main pillars: the sharing of vehicle platforms, components and modules; and the creation of a global purchasing joint venture for the sourcing of commodities, components and other goods and services from suppliers.

Japan's largest automaker, Toyota Motor Corp, recently reported its global output rose 28 percent in February from a year earlier to 811,310 vehicles.

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