(June 2, 2010) All major automakers except Toyota reported double-digit U.S. sales gains in May, as the light-vehicle sales rate hit its highest level since December.

Sales rose 19 percent from May 2009, marking the eighth-straight monthly increase, the longest such streak since June 2000, according to Bloomberg Data. The seasonally adjusted annual sales rate hit 11.8 million, beating analysts' predictions for demand in the low-11-million-unit range.

Ford, one of the leaders in the Memorial Day weekend incentive spree, gained 22 percent for the month. General Motors — which yesterday marked the anniversary of its 2009 bankruptcy filing — saw overall sales rise 17 percent.

Ford leads all major automakers in year-over-year sales gains, improving 30 perent for the first five months of 2010. GM has gained 14 percent for the year and Toyota just 11 percent.

Chrysler Group climbed 33 percent compared with May 2009, a month the automaker spent in bankruptcy. Year-over-year Chrysler is up 8 percent.

All three Detroit automakers beat analysts' average forecasts by at least 6 percentage points.

Despite continuing a string of incentives it started in March, Toyota increased only 7 percent from May 2009, its worst sales performance since posting declines in January and February during recall problems.

Nissan and Honda took advantage of Memorial Day discounts — Nissan grew 24 percent and American Honda grew 19 percent. Hyundai-Kia was up 28 percent for its 11th-straight monthly gain.

Other manufacturers — Volkswagen, up 21 percent; Subaru, up 35 percent; Mazda, up 35 percent; and Daimler, up 22 percent.

The seasonally adjusted annual sales rate hit 11.8 million, beating analysts' predictions for demand in the low-11-million-unit range.