The continued sales recovery for Japanese brands helped AutoNation Inc. outpace the industry last month in posting a 38 percent sales gain.
AutoNation, the largest U.S. dealership group, sold 22,862 new vehicles in June. Total U.S. sales were up 22 percent, spurred by a 60 percent gain at Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. and a 49 percent advance at American Honda as they rebounded from last year's earthquake
AutoNation's sales of import-brand vehicles increased by 56 percent last month.
"The automotive industry continues to be a bright spot in the U.S. economic recovery," CEO Mike Jackson said today on Twitter.
AutoNation relies heavily on import brands. Almost 70 percent of the company's June sales came from non-Detroit 3 makes vs. about 53 percent for the industry as a whole.
Though AutoNation's sales of brands such as Toyota were up by 68 percent and Lexus by 79 percent, it wasn't just the Japanese makes lifting AutoNation sales last month.
Sales of domestic-brand vehicles increased 25 percent to 7,066 vehicles. AutoNation's Ford sales, for example, were up 29 percent -- quadruple Ford's total U.S. increase. And luxury brand sales rose 20 percent to 4,217 vehicles for AutoNation.
California, Texas and Florida continue to be bright spots for the company. California sales soared 55 percent, and sales were up 36 percent in Texas and 33 percent in Florida.
AutoNation also reported that preliminary second-quarter new-vehicle sales increased 31 percent. Domestic brands rose 18 percent, import brands increased 47 percent, and premium luxury brands climbed 18 percent.
AutoNation ranks No. 1 on Automotive News' list of the top 125 dealership groups. It sold 224,034 new vehicles in 2011 and generated revenue of more than $13.8 billion.
Joseph Lichterman contributed to this report
