Global light-vehicle sales areexpected to reach 79.4 million units in 2012, which would outpace 2011’s record level of 75.5 million units by 5 percent, according to LMC Automotive. Global light-vehicles sales through the first half of 2012 set a very robust selling rate of 80 million units, as key markets including the United States, Japan and China outpace the sales level of a year ago (the selling rate during the first half of 2011 was at 74.5 million units). However, the selling pace is expected to soften through the second half of the year, as both emerging and mature markets weigh slowing economic growth and curbed consumer spending.