FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -

AutoNation on Wednesday announced its new-vehicle sales count for the month of May, which eclipsed year-over-year numbers from last May by 5 percent, bringing the final tally to 31,777 new units.

This performance helped the nation’s largest automotive retailer to reach the milestone of 10 million total units sold, a feat the company says no other group has reached previously.

Perhaps the best takeaway, from a used-sales perspective to gauge buyer areas of interest, is the company’s breakdown of the types of new units sold last month:

  • 9,878 domestic units, up 6 percent year-over-year
  • 15,297 import units, down 1 percent year-over-year
  • 6,602 premium luxury units, up 18 percent year-over-year

In celebration of the sale of its 10 millionth vehicle, AutoNation also announced that it is giving away three vehicles, one each in Florida, Texas and California. In connection with the giveaway, the company is also hosting a sweepstakes where the grand prize winner will be given a 1 in 100 chance to win $10 million via a drawing. If the grand prize winner does not win the cash prize, they will receive a new Honda Accord.

The grand prize winner, along with a select group of peer-nominated AutoNation associates, will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Sonoma, Calif. to participate in the 2015 GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma. Entry into the sweepstakes is on the company’s website.

In other AutoNation news, the group recently announced the launch of its own brand of vehicle service contract, titled the “AutoNation Vehicle Protection Plan,” to be sold in all of its domestic and import stores.

Mike Jackson, the company’s chairman, president and chief executive officer, shared his thoughts on the new plan, which is offered in partnership with The Warranty Group.

“Offering a private-label service contract is the next logical step in our ‘Coast to Coast’ branding initiative that we launched two years ago,” Jackson said. “This marks the beginning of branding our customer protection products with the AutoNation name.

“The AutoNation Vehicle Protection Plan provides best-in-class coverage for our customers,” Jackson added. “When paired with the existing AutoNation pre-paid maintenance program, it adds another layer of trust and confidence in the AutoNation brand.”