U.S. Light Vehicle Sales Jump 26%

Carmakers sold 1.33 million cars and light trucks in the U.S. last month compared with 1.06 million units in May 2011. Volume was driven by strong increases among U.S., Asian and European brands.

May's sales volume generated an annualized sales rate of 13.8 million units compared with 11.7 million in May 2011, according to Autodata Corp. Last month's sales pace compared with 14.4 million in March and April.

Demand for domestic brands rose 15% to 607,000 units. May sales climbed 11% to 245,300 units at General Motors, nearly 13% to 215,700 units at Ford and 29% to 146,000 units at Chrysler.

Major Japanese carmakers reported huge increases compared with year-earlier levels, when production was badly hurt by Japan's earthquake and Thailand's flooding. Sales jumped 87% to 203,000 units at Toyota, 48% to 134,000 units at Honda and 21% to 91,800 units at Nissan.

Volume advanced more modestly for South Korean-based Hyundai and Kia, whose output a year earlier was barely affected by Asia's natural disasters. Hyundai sales in May rose 13% to 67,000 units, and Kia boosted volume almost 5% to 51,800 units.

European brands posted a 16% increase in sales to 122,000 units with strong results for the four best-selling brands: Volkswagen (+28% to 38,700 units), BMW (+7% to 22,200 units), Mercedes-Benz (+21% to 24,600 units) and Audi (+10% to 11,500 units).