June auto sales: GM hits a five-year high -- and it's not just trucks General Motors Co. posted its best month for U.S. auto sales in almost five years in June. The automaker said sales rose 6% to 264,843 vehicles over the same month a year earlier. It was its highest total since September 2008. The results come against a backdrop of healthy industry sales. Booming truck sales, linked to the recovery of the housing and construction industries, were responsible for much of GM's growth last month. PHOTOS: GM's redesigned 2014 full-sized trucks Gutierrez noted that GM is making sales gains without resorting to big discounts. "We have good momentum heading into the second half of 2013: the economic outlook is solid and our launch vehicles are performing well in the marketplace," said Kurt McNeil, GM's vice president of U.S. sales operations. Cadillac sales rose nearly 15% for the month. Chevrolet sales were up more than 7% and GMC sales rose almost 5%. Buick fell 4%, hurt by big dips in LaCrosse and Regal sedan sales. PHOTOS: Seven generations of Corvettes "Within the last month we saw a slowing stock market and a stalled unemployment recovery, but the automotive market continues to shine through it all," says Edmunds.com Senior Analyst Jessica Caldwell. The first half of 2013 was every bit as strong as the auto industry could expect at the beginning of the year, and there's no reason why the next six months can't maintain the same momentum. While most automakers posted sales gains in June, Volkwagen saw its business decline because of a dearth of new models. Competition for truck buyers heats up supporters take dealer fight to White House Want to save cash? Go over gas, fuel study says Follow me on Twitter (@LATimesJerry), Facebook and Google+.