Car Sales Climb 9% in U.S.

Automakers sold 1.29 million cars and light trucks in the U.S. last month compared with 1.18 million units in April 2012, according to Autodata Corp.

April volume equates to an annual sales rate of 14.92 million vehicles compared to 14.12 million units a year earlier and a 15.27 million-unit rate in March.

U.S. domestic brands boosted deliveries 14% to 602,400 vehicles in April, led by Ford's 18% jump to 212,000 units. General Motors and Chrysler both posted 11% increases to 237,600 units and 152,800 units, respectively. American makes hiked their market share 2.1 points to 46.9%.

April sales of European marques edged up 1% to 119,700 vehicles, reined in by a 10% drop to 33,600 units for the VW brand. Demand for luxury vehicles remained brisk, including Mercedes-Benz (+6% to 23,600 units), BMW (+10% to 23,200 vehicles) and Audi (+14% to 13,200 units).

Deliveries by Asian brands rose 5% to 563,200 vehicles last month, dampened by Toyota's 1% dip to 176,200 units. Volume grew 7% to 131,000 vehicles at Honda and climbed 23% to 87,800 units at Nissan. Sales advanced 2% to 63,300 vehicles at Hyundai and were flat at 47,600 units at Kia. Subaru volume jumped 25% to 32,900 units.