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  "Ford's Fiesta and Focus (pictured), for example, are seen as fresh products that people want to own"

THE tide could be turning for Ford as Australians nominate it as one of their next car choices.

A Roy Morgan Research survey says Ford joins Volkswagen and Toyota as having products that private motorists prefer and intend to buy over the next year.

The comprehensive survey also reveals that car sales will accelerate this year and create another bonanza for manufacturers and dealers.

The researcher's "Car Buying Intention" survey, released this week, says an estimated 648,000 Australians intend to buy a new car in the next 12 months - a 5.9 per cent increase on its short-term average of 612,000 - and that vehicle sales will exceed 2011's 1.008 million.

Roy Morgan communications director Norman Morris says Ford's inclusion was probably attributed to its new model range.

"Ford's Fiesta and Focus, for example, are seen as fresh products that people want to own," he says. "There's also more product coming from Ford. In general, I'd say there's more happening at Ford and that's attracting buyer interest."

Roy Morgan surveys 55,000 Australians and 15,000 New Zealanders during the year.

Mr Morris says 2012 looks likely to be a potential record year for the industry.

"For the fourth consecutive month, long-term new car buying intentions have improved, finishing the year on an all-time record high," he says. "More than 2.26 million private-buyer Australians are in the market for a new car in the next four years. These are private buyers - not fleet or government buyers."

The good news comes hard on the heels of a difficult year in 2011 when natural disasters in Japan and Thailand resulted in supply problems.

"But despite this, the Australian automotive industry still managed to exceed one-million new vehicle sales for only the fourth time in history," Mr Morris says. "This year looks likely to be a potential record year for the industry with both long and short term intentions finishing the year on a positive note."

In addition to the refreshed product hitting the showrooms, buyers are being lured to owning a new car because of cuts in the interest rates.

Mr Morris says "the automotive industry appears to be one industry benefiting from these decisions."

Mr Morris says of the mainstream brands, Volkswagen and Ford have shown the greatest improvement over the past 12 months.

"Both manufacturers posted improvements of at least 20 per cent year on year," he says. "BMW and Mercedes-Benz look likely to continue their struggle in 2012 to be the top luxury passenger vehicle seller, with both brands posting strong improvements."