Bigger Deals and Incentives May Come Soon

Comparing September 2010 sales to sales in September of 2009, GM saw its new vehicle sales in the U.S. increase 12% to 173,031.

Ford saw its sales jump 46% to 160,375, and Chrysler sold 100,077 vehicles, up 61%.

But it may not all be good news.

Fleet sales - not retail sales - seems to be driving the market surge. (Fleet sales are vehicles that are sold to rental fleets and corporate clients).

Collectively, General Motors, Ford, Toyota, Chrysler, Hyundai-Kia and Nissan sold 2.3 million units in the third quarter, up 1 percent.

But combined retail sales fell 4 percent to 1.8 million.

What does this mean for car shoppers? Fleet sales can only sustain the auto market for so long.

To boost retail sales, automakers will have to offer greater discounts and incentives.

Our recommendation is to consider waiting a few months before purchasing (unless you're considering a leftover model). You may end up saving thousands.