U.S. Car Sales Surge to Annualized 16.5-Million Rate

Deliveries of cars and light trucks in the U.S. climbed 9% to 1.44 million last month compared with July 2013, led by a 12% jump for domestic brands, according to Autodata Corp.

Chrysler's volume zoomed 20% to 163,900 units. General Motors advanced 9% to 256,200 vehicles. Demand for Ford models grew nearly 10% to 211,500.

Marketwide sales of trucks climbed 13% to 746,000 units last month. Car sales advanced 5% to 689,300.

Asian brands, which account for 47% of the American market, gained 8% to 673,800 units last month. Segment leader Toyota reported a 12% increase to 215,800 vehicles. Sales also rose for Nissan (+11% to 121,500), Hyundai (+2% to 67,000), Kia (+7% to 52,300), Subaru (+27% to 45,700) and Mazda (+17% to 29,200).

Honda was the only Asian brand to lose ground, as demand for its Acura and Honda brand vehicles fell 4% to 135,900 units.

European brands advanced 3% to 128,600 sales in July in spite of Volkswagen brand's 15% drop to 30,600 units. It was the marque's 16th consecutive decline in year-on-year volume.

VW's loss was offset by strong growth for Mercedes-Benz (+15% to 29,400 vehicles), BMW (+10% to 26,400), Audi (+12% to 14,600) and Land Rover (+15% to 4,600) brands. Sales dropped for Volvo (-17% to 4,900) and Jaguar (-26% to 1,200).