(January 6, 2010) Detroit's three automakers and the top Japanese manufacturers — Honda, Nissan and Toyota — all saw sharp sales declines for 2009, but based on December results they all have momentum going into the new year.

Ford posted a 33 percent rise in December sales, assuring its first annual gain in U.S. market share in 14 years and providing more evidence of an industry on the mend. Ford was joined by Hyundai Group, Subaru and Toyota in increasing sales by about a third. General Motors Co. — down 6 percent — Porsche, Suzuki and Chrysler were among last month's decliners.

Higher sales in every product category and for every brand propelled Ford to a 33 percent sales increase in December versus a year ago.
Ford cars were up 42 percent, crossovers were up 51 percent, sport utilities were up 33 percent, and trucks and vans were up 18 percent. Among brands, Ford sales were up 37 percent, Lincoln sales were up 16 percent and Mercury sales were up 6 percent.

“Ford's plan is working,” said Ken Czubay, Ford vice president, U.S. Marketing Sales and Service. “Customer consideration continues to grow for our high-quality, fuel-efficient vehicles. In 2010, we will introduce an even higher number of new products, giving customers more reasons to Drive One.”

Hyundai Group, which includes Kia, continued its success with sales up 42 percent over December 2008 and 9 percent for the year. Subaru's sales were up 33 percent month over month and 15 percent for the year.

Although General Motors was off 6 percent from December 2008, the four core brands — Chevrolet, GMC, Buick and Cadillac— were up 7 percent compared to last year and were up 50 percent compared to November 2009. The total sales decline of 6 percent from the previous year was driven primarily by declines in fleet sales (33 percent) and in sales of non-core brands (55 percent), GM said.

Chrysler was down just 4 percent month over month, but was down 36 percent for 2009.

Ford ended the year down just 16 percent and General Motors finished 2009 down 30 percent.

The market’s two largest Japanese brands reported significant sales upturns to wrap up the final month of an otherwise dismal 2009.  But both Toyota and Honda couldn’t erase hefty double-digit declines for the year overall. Overall sales for the month rose 32.3 percent for Toyota, while American Honda reported a December gain of 24.5 percent. Toyota was down 20 percent for the year and Honda was down 19 percent.

Nissan showed an 18 percent gain in December, but was down 19 percent for the year.

Other December gainers were BMW, 9 percent; Jaguar/Land Rover, 33 percent, Mazda, 2 percent; and Volkswagen/Audi, 16 percent.

Overall the auto industry was up 15 percent for December and down an estimated 21 percent in 2009, the worst performance in nearly three decades.