Summary Box: US auto sales rise among most automakers in July on promotions, easier credit

Summary Box: Auto sales show month-to-month gain

SALES REV UP: Every major automaker except Ford and Daimler said U.S. sales of cars and trucks rose from June to July. The companies credited summer promotions and looser credit for the uptick.

CHRISTMAS IN JULY?: Summer promotions, which usually begin in August but were moved up, lured in buyers. Chrysler promised to make buyers’ first two months’ payments up to $1,000.

BAD CREDIT? NO PROBLEM: Carmakers said the market for auto loans is loosening up. GM announced last month that it would buy a company specializing in loans to customer with poor credit.