Led by its domestic operating segment, AutoNation saw a 7-percent rise in retail new-vehicle sales in 2011 and closed the year with a strong December that was up double digits year-over-year, the company announced Monday.

Breaking its full-year results down further, AutoNation realized a 17-percent gain in sales for domestics, while its import sales were static. Premium luxury sales for the retailer climbed 15 percent.

In the final month of the year, AutoNation sold 24,342 new retail units for an 11-percent year-over-year gain. Its domestic segment moved 7,609 units (up 17 percent), while the import segment was flat at 11,621 sales.

AutoNation moved 5,112 premium luxury vehicles, a 32-percent rise.

This capped a fourth quarter where new retail sales climbed 12 percent. Domestics jumped 19 percent, imports improved 1 percent and there was a 31-percent gain in premium luxury sales.

In other news from the company, AutoNation chairman and chief executive officer received the 2011 National Retail Leadership Award from the Detroit Free Press as part of the North American International Auto Show.