Industry analysts are predicting that the U.S. auto industry will show 6% growth in automotive sales when final May numbers are tabulated. The jump is a result of an increase in consumer spending and a recovering housing market, which nearly always leads to a bump in auto sales. In addition, many consumers are still driving aging vehicles (with an average age of 11+ years) and the pent-up demand is still driving consumers to dealer showrooms. Analysts predict the annual sales rate in May will reach 15.1-15.3 million vehicles, after falling below that mark in April for the first time since November 2012.