DETROIT — Automakers said on Monday that new-vehicle sales in the United States rose 15 percent in November, as the replacement of cars and trucks damaged in Hurricane Sandy contributed to the industry’s best monthly sales rate in four years.

The strong performance of most car companies indicated that total sales for this year would exceed most forecasts and suggested that the industry’s revival would continue into 2013.

Preliminary figures showed that 1.14 million vehicles were sold in November, in contrast to 994,000 in the same month a year ago, according to the research firm Autodata.

That pace translates into a seasonally adjusted annual sales rate of about 15.5 million vehicles — the highest rate recorded since January 2008.