Chrysler Group LLC and Nissan Motor Co. said U.S. sales in July
jumped at double-digit rates, indicating that the auto industry's
recent strong sales would persist.
Chrysler said sales rose 20% in July, as its Jeep brand turned
in another month of strong growth. Nissan, meanwhile, said its
sales improved 11%, with gains occurring in both its Nissan and
luxury Infiniti divisions.
The auto industry's sales have continued to fare well even after
a spate of recalls. After better-than-expected sales in June,
analysts are projecting auto makers to post bigger sales gains for
July and persistent growth the rest of this year amid steady, if
tepid, economic growth and continued low interest rates.
Chrysler's gains were expected to be among the leaders of the
pack.
Chrysler said it sold 167,667 vehicles in July, up from 140,102
during July 2013. The auto maker said it was its best July sales
performance since 2005.
Truck sales--accounting for 78% of total sales in July--rose
27%. Car sales slipped 1%.
Jeep vehicles posted a 41% increase in sales, the brand's best
July ever, Chrysler said. The Ram brand's sales rose 18%
Nissan said its sales were a record for July as it sold 121,452
total vehicles, compared with 109,041 vehicles a year earlier.
The jump in Nissan sales was driven by an 18% increase in car
sales, with Sentra models surging nearly 54%. Total truck sales
inched down, however.
Write to Michael Calia at michael.calia@wsj.com
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