Vehicle Sales Climb 8% in U.S.

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.

Car sales in the U.S. grew 6% to 725,700 units last month. Demand for light trucks rose 11% to 718,900 units. The latter favored American brands, which boosted deliveries 9% to 662,900 vehicles. Ford sales climbed 14% gain to 246,000 units. Volume grew 3% to 252,900 vehicles at General Motors and 11% to 162,500 units at Chrysler.

Deliveries by Asian carmakers advanced 8% to 652,000 vehicles in May, paced by Nissan (+25% to 114,500 units). Group sales increased at Toyota (+3% to 208,000 units), Honda (+5% to 140,000 units), Subaru (+34% to 39,900 units) and Mazda (+19% to 24,300 units). Hyundai and Kia eked out gains of 2% to 68,400 vehicles and 1% to 52,300 units, respectively.

European marques hiked U.S. deliveries 6% to 129,800 vehicles last month.