DETROIT — People are finally replacing the cars and trucks they held on to during the economic slump, giving a boost to U.S. auto sales in November.

Chrysler, Ford and Nissan were among the companies reporting today double-digit gains from last November, which is normally a lackluster month because of colder weather and holiday distractions.

Several analysts expect last month’s U.S. sales pace to be the fastest in more than two years. They project the annual rate for November to range between 13.3 million and 14 million cars and trucks after carmakers finish reporting new vehicle sales today.

That’s a far better rate than the 12.6 million through the first 10 months of the year.

Chrysler Group’s sales rose 45 percent from a year earlier.

At General Motors, buyers snapped up small cars and pickup trucks. Sales of the Chevrolet Cruze compact rose 54 percent, while the Silverado pickup, GM’s top-selling vehicle, saw sales jump 34 percent.

Ford Motor’s sales rose 13 percent, fueled by the new Explorer SUV, whose sales more than tripled over last November.

The average age of a car on U.S. roads is a record 10.6 years, according to Polk, an auto industry research firm.

By The Associated Press