AutoNation sales jump 38 percent in June

Associated Press

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — AutoNation Inc., the country's largest automotive retailer, said Thursday that its new vehicles sales jumped 38 percent last month, driven by a recovery in imported brands.

Sales of popular brands like Toyota and Honda slowed at this point last year because of a lack of U.S. inventory following Japan's earthquake and tsunami.

AutoNation sold 22,862 vehicles in June. Sales of domestic vehicles rose 25 percent to 7,066, imported vehicle sales jumped 56 percent to 11,579, and sales of premium luxury cars increased 20 percent to 4,217.

New vehicle sales in the second quarter rose 31 percent, also boosted by a strong rebound in imported vehicle sales.

The Fort Lauderdale, Fla., company is expected to report second-quarter earnings on July 19.