AutoNation says July sales grew 8 percent

AutoNation said Monday that it sales grew 8 percent in July, and said that was its best July result since 2006.

The company said it sold a total of 27,484 vehicles for the month. The Fort Lauderdale, Florida, company said domestic vehicle sales grew 8 percent, import vehicles rose 7 percent, and sales of premium luxury vehicles climbed 17 percent.

Sales at stores open at least a year increased 7 percent. Sales at locations open at least a year are considered an important measurement of a retailer's performance because they exclude results from stores that opened or closed within the last year.

AutoNation Inc. stock rose 3 cents to $53.57 in premarket trading.