New car and light truck registrations in Colorado jumped 26 percent in March compared with registrations during the same month last year, an auto industry group said Tuesday.

Year-to-date state registrations increased 18.7 percent, outpacing the U.S. market that saw only a 7.1-percent rise.

In Colorado, more than 13,500 new vehicles were registered in March vs. 10,750 new vehicles registered during the same period in 2011. The information was part of a report released by the Colorado Automobile Dealers Association, a Denver-based group that represents 245 new car and truck dealers statewide.

"The Colorado auto industry continues to show strong demand for new vehicles and they represent all shapes and sizes, including domestic and foreign brands," association President Tim Jackson said.

Chrysler, Jeep, Mercedes, MINI, Suzuki and Dodge led new-car registrations by more than 40 percent through March, Jackson said.