Auto Industry Ends Tumultuous Year with Mixed Results

2009 may have been an awful year, but the auto industry managed to end it on a high note as consumers sought year-end bargains.

Ford Motor (F) reported U.S. sales rose 34% in December compared to a year ago. General Motors, meanwhile, reported sales slipped 6% in December, but rose 13% within its remaining four "core" brands. Even struggling Chrysler Group managed to stave off heretofore double-digit drops in monthly sales to just 3.7% compared to 2008 while boosting December sales 36% above November's figures.