The U.S auto market managed to end 2011 on high performance, giving automakers worldwide, hope that 2012 is going to come with more profits and sales. On the annual record, light vehicle sales in the U.S gained 9 percent to record 1.24 million units, which didn’t disappoint analysts' estimates.

Total car sales in the United States inclined by 10 percent between January and December to reach 12.78 million vehicles compared with 11.6 million vehicles in 2010 and 10.4 million vehicles back in 2009, when the crisis reached its peak. The seasonally adjusted annual sales came at 13.56 million in December, which is the second highest record after the 13.63 million, seen in November.

Yet, BMW won the luxury sales crown and beat its rival Mercedes with total sales of 247,907 units in 2011. Mercedes sales gained 28 percent to reach 25,701 units, to record an annual total of 245,192 vehicles. Mercedes was powered by its new C class, but the performance was not enough to catch BMW; however, Mercedes sales gained 13 percent in 2011.

Chrysler Group's deliveries climbed 26 percent between January and December, while it rose 37 percent in December only. Volkswagen Group's sales increased 31 percent last month, while annual sales gained 29 percent, as the automaker opened its assembly plant in the U.S and became closer to the market. Ford Motors Co reported a 9 percent increase for the year and 10 percent in December, while Kia's sales rose 40 percent last year and 43 percent in December.