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GM, Toyota Sales Decline In June; U.S. Auto Industry Posts Record Six Months

The largest domestic and overseas companies in the U.S. auto market each reported slower sales last month as their top rivals showed gains.

In this Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015, photo, a row of new Ford Fusions are for sale on the lot at Butler County Ford in Butler, Pa. On Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2016, the major automakers report sales figures for January. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
In this Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015, photo, a row of new Ford Fusions are for sale on the lot at Butler County Ford in Butler, Pa. On Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2016, the major automakers report sales figures for January. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

The largest domestic and overseas companies in the U.S. auto market each reported slower sales last month as their top rivals showed gains.

General Motors' U.S. sales were down less than 2 percent in June compared to the same month in 2015, in part due to a planned reduction in sales to rental companies.

GM's retail sales climbed slightly last month. Although sales of its Chevrolet brand remained flat and Cadillac sales increased, the GMC and Buick brands each declined.

Fellow Detroit automakers Ford and Fiat Chrysler, meanwhile, reported sales increases in June of 6 percent and 7 percent, respectively.

FCA's Jeep posted its best June ever following a 17 percent sales increase, while its Ram and Dodge brands also showed growth. Its flagship Fiat and Chrysler brands, however, declined by about 20 percent.

Ford posted gains of about 6 percent by both its flagship brand and the Lincoln luxury brand.

Among overseas automakers, Toyota sales fell by 6 percent last month while fellow Japanese producers Honda and Nissan set records for June. Honda increased by 3 percent while Nissan jumped by 13 percent.

Those six companies comprised more than 75 percent of the U.S. auto market in May, according to numbers from The Wall Street Journal.

Volkswagen sales, meanwhile, fell by nearly 22 percent compared to June 2015. Last month wrapped up with a proposed settlement of VW's diesel emissions scandal with U.S. regulators and consumers.

Overall auto sales in the U.S. set a record for the first six months of the year, according to a report by the Associated Press, but sales appeared to be slowing as the middle of 2016 approached.