DETROIT — U.S. buyers snapped up new cars and trucks in June at a pace not seen since before the recession.

Continuing demand for big pickups helped boost sales for Detroit’s automakers. Ford said today that its sales rose 14 percent, while Chrysler’s gained 8 percent and General Motors’ rose 6.5 percent.

Japanese automakers reported solid gains as well. Nissan’s sales jumped 13 percent, while Toyota’s were up 10 percent. But Volkswagen’s sales dropped 3 percent, the third consecutive monthly decline for the German car company.

Other automakers will report sales later today.

Analysts say they don’t see much that could slow the sales momentum of the first six months. The factors that juiced sales — low interest rates, wider credit availability, rising home construction and hot new vehicles — are likely to remain in place. So far, hiccups in the stock market, higher taxes and fluctuating gas prices haven’t dampened demand.