Cars.com Reports 7.3% Increase In Luxury-Brand Vehicle Sales

An improving stock market and rising consumer confidence have both helped a rise in luxury auto sales, according to Cars.com.

Cars.com Chief Analyst Jesse Toprak said that the luxury segment is enjoying a particularly strong December.

“With the stock market reaching new highs, shoppers are once again comfortable splurging on premium new-vehicles,” he said. “A rebounding economy and very attractive lease deals will help close out 2014 with some of the best new-car sales numbers luxury automakers have seen all year.”

The Ford Motor Company F Lincoln, Toyota Motor Corp TM Lexus and Audi AG segments had the largest year-to-date increases in total sales, according to Cars.com, while the General Motors Company GM Cadillac segment had a decrease.

First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund II CARZ, an ETF that includes securities of companies that are classified as an automobile manufacturer, traded recently at $36.40, down 0.6 percent.