* Consumers moving to more expensive vehicles, CUV * Emerging nations leading growth in global auto sales

TORONTO, April 30 (Reuters) - The recovery in the North American auto market is gaining momentum, with double-digit sales gains, rising prices, and a shift by consumers to more expensive models, a report released by Bank of Nova Scotia's (BNS.TO) economics unit said on Friday.Scotiabank expects vehicle output in the United States, Canada and Mexico to rise to an annualized 12.4 million units in the second quarter, up from 11.5 million in the first three months of 2010.It said rising output would likely add about half a percentage point to gross domestic product growth in both the United States and Canada in the April to June period.Global auto sales rose 25 percent in March from a year earlier, led by emerging nations, where growth came in at more than 40 percent, the report said.The auto industry is coming out of one of its worst downturns ever, which General Motors Co [GM.UL] and Chrysler only survived with the help of billions of dollars in government aid as they restructured while in bankruptcy protection.In the United States, enhanced incentives, rising consumer confidence, and stronger job growth helped push vehicle sales up 24 percent in March to an annualized 11.8 million vehicles. That's up from an average of 10.8 million over the previous three months, the report said.Sales of cross-over utility vehicles were up 45 percent, and overtook midsized cars to become the largest vehicle segment in the United States.The report also said Canadian consumers were shifting from small and lower-priced cars to more expensive light trucks and CUVs.Scotiabank estimates global 2010 car and light truck sales of 53.84 million vehicles, surpassing 2008's record 52.17 million.It forecasts U.S. sales of 11.50 million vehicles, up from 10.4 million in 2009, and Canadian sales of 1.53 million units, up from 1.46 million last year. The outlook for 2010 sales in China was for 8.77 million vehicles, up from 7.31 million in 2009; 1.63 million in India, up from 1.46 million; 2.72 million in Brazil, up from 2.48 million; and 1.53 million in Russia, up from 1.47 million. (Reporting by John McCrank; editing by Peter Galloway)