AutoNation Inc.’s new-car sales last month mirrored the national U.S. increase, rising 5 percent on the strength of domestic and luxury brands, Automotive News reported.

Import vehicles, AutoNation’s largest sales category, dropped slightly.

Total U.S. new-vehicle sales also rose 5 percent in July compared with a year ago and have increased 15 percent this year vs. the same seven months of 2009. The seasonally adjusted annual sales rate for July was 11.55 million vehicles.

AutoNation today reported that it sold 19,688 new vehicles in July, up 5 percent from 2009. But the nation’s largest auto retailer noted that July 2009 sales benefited from the federal cash-for-clunkers program. Compared with June of this year, July was up 22 percent.

AutoNation also said:

• Domestic sales rose 13 percent over a year ago to 5,995. Ford brand sales rose 15 percent, and Chevrolet sales jumped 16 percent.

• Luxury sales increased 12 percent to 3,135.

• Import sales dropped 1 percent to 10,558.

In a statement, CEO Mike Jackson said AutoNation continues to see recovery in Florida and California. Florida sales rose 8 percent vs. a year ago and 20 percent vs. last month. California sales jumped 13 percent compared with a year ago and 26 percent over last month.

“We continue to see the gradual recovery in the auto market,” Jackson said.

Pickup sales also rose 59 percent compared with last July and 22 percent compared with June.