U.S. Carmakers Post Strongest July Sales Since 2006

General Motors, the nation’s largest automaker, posted the largest overall increase, of 16 percent, with double-digit sales growth for all four of its brands — Chevrolet, Cadillac, G.M.C. and Buick. The Ford Motor Company and the Chrysler Group each said sales rose 11 percent last month on the strength of pickups and smaller, more fuel-efficient cars.

Over all, it was the strongest July since 2006 for the industry, with sales rising 14 percent, to 1.3 million vehicles. At that rate, 2013 sales for the industry would be 15.7 million vehicles, up from 14.1 million last year.

“For G.M., July was the most well-balanced month of the year from a retail sales standpoint; trucks were hot, but so were small cars and family vehicles,” said Kurt McNeil, vice president for G.M.’s United States sales operations. “Our experience shows that the difference between good sales and great sales in a slow-growth economy is how many new products you have to offer, and we are starting to hit our sweet spot.”

G.M. reported healthy sales of both 2013 models and 2014 models, especially of the newly redesigned Chevrolet Silverado pickup and the Impala midsize sedan.

With new styling and the chance to get a lower price on an older model, “you’re really attracting a broad range of customers into the showroom,” said Donald Johnson, G.M.’s vice president for Chevrolet sales and service.

Sales of the Impala rose 38 percent, helped by its No. 1 ranking last week in Consumer Reports. It was the first time in 20 years that the magazine had given an American sedan the top spot.

“This is the segment I love to watch,” said Michelle Krebs of Edmunds.com. “It is such a vicious battlefield, and an important one, as it is the biggest single segment in the business.”

Toyota said its sales rose 17 percent, while Honda reported an increase of 21 percent and Nissan 11 percent. Volkswagen was the only brand to report a drop in sales, of 3.3 percent.

As in recent months, pickups were especially popular in July as a recovery in housing and energy, coupled with pent-up demand, drew shoppers into dealerships, the automakers said.

Sales for G.M.’s trucks rose 44 percent. Ford said its F-Series sales rose 23 percent, and Chrysler’s Ram brand reported a 31 percent sales increase.

Shoppers also sought out small cars as they downsized and put more emphasis on fuel efficiency, said Erich Merkle, Ford’s United States sales analyst.

Sales of Ford’s small cars, including the Focus, the Fiesta and the C-Max, rose 32 percent for the best month since 2000. G.M. said that sales of the Cruze compact rose 70 percent, and Chrysler said that the Dodge Dart, with 6,064 sold, was a bright spot for the company.

“Baby boomers are becoming empty nesters and their need for size isn’t quite what it used to be,” Mr. Merkle said.

He added that younger customers who were looking to buy their first new car were opting for smaller models.

Ford would have sold more of its midsize Fusion sedan and Escape utility vehicle if not for an inventory shortage. The automaker is increasing capacity at its plants in the fall.

Though sales for the midsize segment were expected to be up over all for the year, the industry had some mixed results, said Alec Gutierrez, senior analyst at Kelley Blue Book.

“The Honda Accord, Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry each enjoyed solid growth this month, while the Chevrolet Malibu, Ford Fusion and Chrysler 200 saw year-over-year declines,” Mr. Gutierrez said. “The Fusion has been limited by low inventory, while the Malibu and 200 are each awaiting updates that should help to drive additional demand.”

The Chrysler Group said that sales of its Fiat and Jeep brands held steady at 2 percent as it prepared to unveil the new Jeep Cherokee later this year. Dodge sales rose 18 percent, led by the Durango utility vehicle and the Dart, while sales for the Chrysler brand fell 4 percent last month.