Detroit Big 3 post strong growth in 2010

The US automakers General Motors, Ford Motor Co., and Chrysler LLC each reported a strong US sales growth for 2010 and December on Tuesday, as they continued to recover from the worst time of crisis in 2009.

Chrysler Group LLC reported sales of 1.1 million units in 2010, up 17 percent from the previous year, according to the Detroit News. The Auburn Hills, Michigan-based company said its sales in December jumped 16 percent, compared with the same month a year ago.

The automaker reportedly said that the new launches such as 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2011 Dodge Durango contributed to the strong sales.

Ford Motor Co., the only one of the Big Three American auto giants to turn down federal bailout money in 2009, also reported a profitable 2010 with sales totaled 1.935 million units, up 19 percent than 2009. And it also registered an increase of 6.7 percent in December, due to continued gains in truck sales.

General Motors Co. saw its domestic sales rise 21 percent for 2010, thanks to its new business model.

Its four core brands -- Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC, sold 118,435 more units than the company did with eight brands in 2009. The automaker sold 223,932 vehicles in December, capping a 15.5-percent gain for the four core brands from the previous same month.

Factoring in the brands that have been dropped, the GM saw a 7.5-percent rise in sales for December and a 6.3-percent increase for 2010.