U.S. Car Sales Rise 5%

Deliveries of passenger vehicles in the U.S. climbed to 1.51 million units last month from 1.44 million in July 2015, Autodata Corp. reports. The annualized sales pace rose to 17.6 million the second-highest rate in 10 years from 16.5 million a year earlier and 17.2 million in June.

America's love of trucks grew unabated in July. Sales of pickup trucks, SUVs and crossover vehicles surged 13% to 842,100 units, compared with a 3% decline to 669,200 cars.

The traditional domestic vehicles brands climbed 6% to 671,300 units. Volume rose at General Motors (+6% to 272,500 units), Ford (+5% to 222,000) and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (+7% to 174,700).

Asian brands expanded their sales 5% last month. Gains were led by Honda (+8% to 145,300 units) and Nissan (+8% to 130,900). Segment leader Toyota gained 1% to 217,200 units. Hyundai and Kia rose 5% to 71,000 units and 8% to 56,300 units, respectively. Subaru climbed 11% to 50,500, but Mazda sales fell 7% to 27,200.

Demand for European marques in the U.S. rose 3% to 132,700 vehicles on 2% gains for each of the segment's three top sellers. July volumes were 31,300 for Volkswagen, 29,700 for Mercedes-Benz and 27,000 for BMW. Audi grew 1% to 17,700 units, but all other European brands were virtually flat.