< p>FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — AutoNation Inc. said Friday that its December new vehicle retail sales rose 15 percent to 27,958, helped by higher demand for both domestic and imported models.

Sales of import vehicles increased 18 percent to 13,450, while sales of domestic models rose 11 percent to 8,415. Sales of premium luxury models jumped 14 percent to 6,093.

For the fourth quarter, the company's sales rose 16 percent, while its full-year sales increased 20 percent, AutoNation said.

The company also said that on Dec. 21 it completed the acquisitions of Boardwalk Audi, Boardwalk Porsche, Boardwalk Volkswagen, McKinney Volkswagen, Park Cities Volkswagen and Spring Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram.

The Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based automotive retailer plans to report its January sales on Feb. 4.

Its shares rose 32 cents to $40.90 in premarket trading. Its shares have traded in a 52-week range of $31.57 to $48.56.