Americans are buying more cars than ever.

U.S. sales are within striking distance of the record for the full year. But even if total auto sales fall short of that mark, the profits that these sales are generating dwarf the earnings that the auto industry raked in when it last set a sales record 15 years ago.

U.S. car buyers flooded showrooms in October, pushing sales up 14% from year-ago levels and making it one if the best months in the industry's history.

There were a record 17.4 million cars and trucks sold in 2000, and General Motors said Tuesday that it expects the industry to break that annual record in 2015.

"Consumers blew the doors off new-vehicle sales in October," said Rebecca Lindland, senior analyst for Kelley Blue Book. She said low unemployment, easily available credit at low interest rates andcheap gas prices are all combining to drive strong sales growth.

"With the average vehicle age still past 10 years old, there's still a lot of opportunity in the marketplace," she said.

The big difference this year, as opposed to 2000, is that today's sales volume is being driven by individual buyers. That's great news, since those sales are much more profitable.

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