The American auto industry, on life support only a couple of years ago, has rebounded strongly, posting high sales in November 2011.

Year-end sales succeeded in stimulating a spectacular rise in annualized sales numbers for Chrysler and Volkswagen, who saw increases of over 40%. The industry as a whole also fared extremely well, posting average improvements of 14 percent.

Part of the reason for the robust new vehicle market has to do with latent demand, the result of low consumption during the worst years of the crisis. People simply held on to their old cars for longer than they used to in better times – as a result, used vehicles currently on the road are, on average, two years older than they were in 2007.

In a broader sense, the American consumer has had enough of the economic slump, and is willing to make big-ticket purchases even before the economy returns to the growth of its booming years. In a way, this may turn out to be a self-fulfilling recovery – as consumption picks up steam, it will drive further investment and production.

This story was contributed by Maryland Ford dealership Koons Ford.