U.S. Car Sales Surge to 6-Year High

America's demand for cars and light trucks zoomed to an annualized rate of 15.96 million units last month, the market's strongest pace since 2007. The rate was 14.38 million in June 2012.

Unit sales for the month jumped to 1.40 million from 1.29 million a year earlier, according to Autodata Corp.

Growth was paced by an 11% increase in truck sales to 695,800 units. Demand for cars rose 8% to 708,600 units.

Traditional U.S. brands accounted for 653,800 sales last month, up 10% from a year earlier. Volume rose 19% to 264,800 vehicles at General Motors, 13% to 234,900 units at Ford and 8% to 152,600 units at Chrysler.

Cars and light trucks from Asian companies climbed 10% to 618,800 units in June. Growth was led by Toyota (+10% to 195,200 units), Honda (+10% to 136,900) and Nissan (+13% to 104,100). But Hyundai-Kia's volume was virtually flat at 115,500 units.

European marques increased their combined June sales 7% to 131,800 vehicles. Market leader Volkswagen saw its volume shrink 3%. But that decline was more than offset by strong increases at BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi.