U.S. car sales rose by ten percent in 2011, final-year car sales figures have shown this week, with December rounding off a stellar year for the likes of Chrysler, Hyundai and Kia.
Consumers bought more cars in the last two months of 2011 than in any other month, data from the automakers and Automotive News showed, with the number of cars sold up nine percent in December (compared to December 2010).
Most impressively, Chrysler gained 83 percent more sales in December than during the same period in 2010, meaning it finished the year with a surge of 26 percent -- not bad for a once-bankrupt firm whose survival was in question just two years back.
Chrysler's larger rivals, General Motors and Ford, saw sales increases over 2011 of 13 percent and nine percent respectively, meaning that last year was definitely a proud one for US automakers -- although the same could not be said for their Japanese rivals.
Consumers bought more cars in the last two months of 2011 than in any other month, data from the automakers and Automotive News showed, with the number of cars sold up nine percent in December (compared to December 2010).
Most impressively, Chrysler gained 83 percent more sales in December than during the same period in 2010, meaning it finished the year with a surge of 26 percent -- not bad for a once-bankrupt firm whose survival was in question just two years back.
Chrysler's larger rivals, General Motors and Ford, saw sales increases over 2011 of 13 percent and nine percent respectively, meaning that last year was definitely a proud one for US automakers -- although the same could not be said for their Japanese rivals.
A series of natural disasters, most notably the devastating earthquake in March, saw the availability of Japan-built models fall and prices rise, meaning Toyota and Honda saw a seven percent fall in sales compared to 2010.
By contrast, Hyundai and Kia set sales records in 2011, taking advantage of their Japanese rivals' weaknesses to soar 20 percent and 36 percent respectively, with the Kia Optima sedan proving particularly popular and tripling its sales performance.
The most popular car in the US during 2011 remained the Toyota Camry, according to Automotive News' calculations, outselling its nearest rival the Nissan Altima by nearly 40,000 models.
By contrast, Hyundai and Kia set sales records in 2011, taking advantage of their Japanese rivals' weaknesses to soar 20 percent and 36 percent respectively, with the Kia Optima sedan proving particularly popular and tripling its sales performance.
The most popular car in the US during 2011 remained the Toyota Camry, according to Automotive News' calculations, outselling its nearest rival the Nissan Altima by nearly 40,000 models.
And Now for the Rankings
America's most popular automakers of 2011
1. General Motors
2. Ford
3. Toyota
4. Chrysler
5. American Honda
6. Nissan
7. Hyundai
8. Volkswagen
2. Ford
3. Toyota
4. Chrysler
5. American Honda
6. Nissan
7. Hyundai
8. Volkswagen
