REUTERS/Michaela Rehle
Mercedes-Benz cars are displayed in a dealership of German car manufacturer Daimler in Munich, May 17, 2013.
Analysts predict sales came in at an annualized pace of 16.00 million units, down from 16.31 million in November.
"After a strong end to November over Black Friday weekend lifted sales for the month to six-year high of 16.3 million units annualized, initial mid-month industry surveys observed some slowing in sales in the first half of December, reflecting the pull forward into November as well as a drag from December winter storm," said Morgan Stanley's Ted Wieseman. "Renewed upside was expected in the second half of the month, but overall December sales may show a 5% pullback after jumping 8% in November."