DETROIT — Auto sales in the United States climbed 14 percent in November as lower gas prices and a wider availability of Japanese models helped the industry achieve its highest selling rate in more than two years, automakers and analysts said Thursday.

With analysts projecting that December will be even better, the industry is closing the year strong despite continued sluggishness in the nation’s economy.

Sales were up 13 percent for the Ford Motor Company. It sold 26 percent more trucks and sport utility vehicles but 9 percent fewer cars. Demand for the Ford Explorer S.U.V. more than tripled.

Many consumers who held off buying a new vehicle because of the uncertain economy, or because of inventory shortages that caused prices to jump, are now making a purchase. The result is a “mini-bubble” that will end in early 2012