U.S. Auto Sales Climb 8%; European Brands Rise 6%

Automakers delivered 1.44 million cars and light trucks in the U.S. last month compared with 1.33 million in May 2012, according to Autodata Corp.

May volume equates to an annual sales rate of 15.31 million vehicles compared with 13.95 million units a year earlier and 14.92 million units in April.

U.S. domestic brands boosted deliveries 9% to 662,900 vehicles last month, led by Ford's 14% gain to 246,000 units. Demand rose 3% to 252,900 vehicles at General Motors and 11% to 162,500 units at Chrysler.

European marques hiked U.S. sales 6% to 129,800 vehicles in May. Luxury makes reported solid advances, including Mercedes-Benz (+10% to 24,700 units), BMW (+14% to 25,200 vehicles) and Audi (+15% to 13,200 units. Volkswagen brand volume slid 2% to 38,000 units.

American deliveries by Asian carmakers grew 8% to 652,000 vehicles last month, paced by Nissan (+25% to 114,500 units). Group sales increased at Toyota (+3% to 208,000 units) and Honda (+5% to 140,000 units).