US auto sales strong in July on SUV, luxury demand

In this Thursday, July 2, 2015, photo, Robert Schemer, his wife, Kelly, and their son Graham, 9, pose next to their newly purchased pre-owned 2013 Ford Flex Limited, at the Star Ford Lincoln dealership in Glendale, Calif. At right is sales consultant Allan Calix. Summer deals and big demand for SUVs and luxury vehicles kept U.S. auto sales strong in July, according to reports released, Monday, Aug. 3, 2015. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes) In this Thursday, July 2, 2015, photo, Robert Schemer, his wife, Kelly, and their son Graham, 9, pose next to their newly purchased pre-owned 2013 Ford Flex Limited, at the Star Ford Lincoln dealership in Glendale, Calif. At right is sales consultant Allan Calix. Summer deals and big demand for SUVs and luxury vehicles kept U.S. auto sales strong in July, according to reports released, Monday, Aug. 3, 2015. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

By Associated Press August 3, 2015 2 min read

DETROIT (AP) – Summer deals and big demand for SUVs and luxury vehicles kept U.S. auto sales strong in July.

Sales of new cars and trucks were expected to rise 3 percent to nearly 1.5 million, according to car shopping site TrueCar.com.

Fiat Chrysler’s U.S. sales rose 6 percent over last July, while Nissan’s U.S. sales were up 8 percent. Both companies benefited from surging sales of small SUVs. Sales of Nissan’s new Rogue jumped 51 percent, and Nissan said sales of its trucks and SUVs set a July record.

Other automakers will report July sales later Monday.

Automakers lured buyers with summer discounts to clear out 2015 models. Toyota was offering zero-percent financing for five years on new Camrys; buyers could also get zero-percent financing for six years on Ford Escapes.