SANTA MONICA, Calif. — New vehicle sales (including fleet sales) in July are expected to be about 950,000 units, a 16.3 percent decrease from July 2008, but a 10.8 percent increase from June 2009, according to Edmunds.com.

Edmunds.com analysts predict this month’s Seasonally Adjusted Annualized Rate (SAAR) should be almost 10.5 million, this year’s highest by far.

“Value is the primary motivator for most sales today, so this summer’s inventory clearance is especially enticing,” observed Jesse Toprak, executive director of industry analysis for Edmunds.com. "Glimmers of hope about the economy and the buzz generated by the Cash for Clunkers program are also working in the auto industry’s favor.”

July 2009 had 26 selling days, the same as last July 2008. (The chart below sets forth other comparisons.)

"Hyundai has become one of the most important companies to watch," commented Michelle Krebs, senior editor of Edmunds' AutoObserver.com. "To show improvement over last year is remarkable and promising, really, for the industry at large to see that it is possible."

The combined monthly U.S. market share for Chrysler, Ford and General Motors (GM) domestic nameplates is estimated to be 42.3 percent in July 2009, down from 43.4 percent in July 2008 and down from 46.2 percent in June 2009.

Edmunds.com predicts Chrysler will sell 60,000 units in July 2009, down 38.6 percent compared to July 2008 and down 11.6 percent from June 2009. This would result in a new car market share of 6.3 percent for Chrysler in July 2009, down from 8.6 percent in July 2008 and down from 7.9 percent in June 2009.

Edmunds.com predicts Ford will sell 154,000 units in July 2009, down 4.2 percent compared to July 2008 and up 0.5 percent from June 2009. This would result in a new car market share of 16.2 percent of new car sales in July 2009 for Ford, up from 14.2 percent in July 2008 and down from 17.9 percent in June 2009.

Edmunds.com predicts GM will sell 188,000 units in July 2009, down 19.5 percent compared to July 2008 and up 7.6 percent from June 2009. GM's market share is expected to be 19.8 percent of new vehicle sales in July 2009, down from 20.6 percent in July 2008 and down from 20.4 percent in June 2009.

Edmunds.com predicts Honda will sell 123,000 units in July 2009, down 13.8 percent from July 2008 and up 22.0 percent from June 2009. Honda’s market share is expected to be 12.9 percent in July 2009, up from 12.5 percent in July 2008 and up from 11.7 percent in June 2009.

Edmunds.com predicts Hyundai will sell 74,000 units in July 2009, up 8.0 percent from July 2008 and up 14.5 percent from June 2009. Hyundai’s market share is expected to be 7.8 percent in July 2009, up from 6.1 percent in July 2008 and up from 7.6 percent in June 2009.

Edmunds.com predicts Nissan will sell 71,000 units in July 2009, down 26.0 percent from July 2008 and up 21.0 percent from June 2009. Nissan's market share is expected to be 7.4 percent in July 2009, down from 8.4 percent in July 2008 and up from 6.8 percent in June 2009.

Edmunds.com predicts Toyota will sell 167,000 units in July 2009, down 15.4 percent from July 2008 and up 26.9 percent from June 2009. Toyota 's market share is expected to be 17.6 percent in July 2009, up from 17.4 percent in July 2008 and up from 15.4 percent in June 2009.