UPDATE: Auto Sales Climb 9% in America

Carmakers sold 1.2 million light vehicles in America last month compared with 1.1 million units a year earlier, according to Autodata Corp.

The firm says that volume translates into an annual rate of 14.1 million units, matching June's pace. The sales rate was 12.4 million units in July 2011.

Analysts attribute gains to pent-up demand, lower interest rates and greater availability of car loans.

U.S. demand for domestic brands dipped 1% to 497,100 vehicles in July. Chrysler sales climbed 12% to 122,400 units on surging passenger-car volume. General Motors and Ford reported declines of 6% to 201,200 vehicles and 4% to 173,500 units, respectively. Both companies say sharp drops in fleet deliveries eroded volume.

Demand for Asian brands advanced 19% to 541,200 vehicles, led by surging sales at Honda (45% to 116,900 units), Toyota (26% to 164,900 units) and Nissan (16% to 98,300 units.) Hyundai and Kia each set a new July record with relatively modest increases of 4% to 62,000 units and 6% to 48,100 units, respectively. Subaru (+16% to 25,200 units) also posted record sales last month.

European brands boosted volume 14% to 115,300 vehicles, paced by Volkswagen's 27% jump to 37,000 units and Audi's 28% gain to 11,700 units. BMW brand sales slipped 1% to 21,300 units and demand for Mercedes-Benz cars and SUVs edged up 2% to 19,300 units. Mercedes now leads its German rival by 132 units for January-July. BMW outsold Mercedes by about 2,700 vehicles last year.

Americans continue to shift their preference to smaller, more fuel-efficient models. Passenger car volume climbed 15% to 583,700 units. Demand rose 20% to 217,600 units for compact and subcompact cars and 15% to 282,100 units for midsize cars.

Truck sales increased 3% to 570,000 units. A 19% jump to 42,600 units for minivans was mostly offset by declines in other truck segments. Demand for fullsize pickup trucks was flat at 124,400 units.