General Motors Co., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler Group LLC reported U.S. sales growth in July that trailed analysts’ estimates as consumers concerned about the economy limited large purchases.

GM’s sales rose 1.5 percent, including an adjustment for the number of selling days in July. The largest U.S. automaker was expected to report a 10 percent increase on that basis, the average estimate of five analysts surveyed by Bloomberg. Ford’s adjusted sales fell 0.7 percent, trailing analysts’ estimates for a 10 percent gain. Its total sales climbed 3.1 percent.

Potential customers are staying away from showrooms amid signs the pace of the economic recovery is slowing. A jobless rate that remains at a 27-year high helped push the New York- based Conference Board’s measure of consumer sentiment to the lowest level in five months last week.

“We are certainly not seeing any good news from the jobs market and that’s scaring people,” Rebecca Lindland, an analyst with IHS Automotive in Lexington, Massachusetts, said today in a telephone interview.

Industrywide sales were expected to reach the highest level of 2010 with an expected annualized selling rate in July of 11.9 million vehicles, the average estimate of eight analysts. That would be 5.3 percent higher than last year’s 11.3 million pace and the best month since August, when the U.S. government’s “Cash for Clunkers” incentive program inflated sales.

GM Deliveries

GM’s deliveries climbed to 199,692 from 189,443 a year earlier, the Detroit-based company said today in a statement. Total sales of Chevrolet vehicles gained 12 percent from a year earlier to 139,916 vehicles and GMC deliveries increased 27 percent to 27,798, the company said. Cadillac and Buick more than doubled.

The results show GM’s turnaround efforts may be slowing after last year’s bankruptcy. Sales of GM’s Hummer, Pontiac, Saab and Saturn brands, which were closed or sold, fell to 260 vehicles from 29,365 in July of last year.

Industrywide deliveries dropped to an 11.1 million pace in June, feeding concerns that the auto recovery was stalling. Discounts and incentives, while higher than last year, were reduced 1.3 percent from June to an average of $2,831 per vehicle, according to TrueCar.com in Santa Monica, California.

Ford’s total deliveries rose to 170,411 from 165,279 a year earlier, the Dearborn, Michigan-based company said today in a statement. Sales of Ford-brand vehicles rose 8.1 percent, while Lincoln deliveries dropped 16 percent and Mercury declined 31 percent.

Market Reaction

Ford shares fell 27 cents, or 2.1 percent, to $12.89 at 1:17 p.m. in New York Stock Exchange composite trading. The shares gained 32 percent this year through yesterday.

GM’s 8.375 percent notes due in July 2033 fell 0.563 cents, or 1.6 percent, to 35 cents on the dollar in New York, according to Trace, the bond-price reporting system of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.

Chrysler’s sales on an adjusted basis gained 1.1 percent, trailing analysts’ estimates for a 2.2 percent increase. Total U.S. sales at the Auburn Hills, Michigan-based automaker rose 5 percent to 93,313 vehicles, led by a 19 percent gain for the Jeep brand. Dodge sales were little changed, while the Ram line gained 11 percent and Chrysler dropped 11 percent, the company said in a statement.

Hyundai Motor Co., South Korea’s largest automaker, sold 54,106 vehicles in the U.S. in July, up 19 percent from a year ago, the Seoul-based company’s local unit said in a statement. Kia Motors Corp., Hyundai’s affiliate, said sales rose 21 percent.