American car maker Chrysler released a statement saying it recorded its best December sales since 2007, indicating that recovery from the recession that lasted a couple of years is on the horizon. Other U.S. automakers haven’t released their sales reports yet, but estimates are that Chrysler is perhaps the only one that has recorded significantly increased sales during last year.
Chrysler’s total 2012 sales were 21% up compared to 2011, which could mean that consumer power is getting stronger, as this is a company that makes a lot of expensive, luxury cars that not everyone can afford. This last December, Chrysler sold a total of 152,367 vehicles, with the Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV, Ram pickup as the best-sellers. The company, that has Italian car maker FIAT as the majority owner, has increased its U.S. market share to 11.2%, thanks to the good sales numbers throughout the year. After the other car makers announce their sales reports, total December sales numbers should amount to 14.5 million, which would make it the best month in five years.
These promising numbers come in a time when there is a huge uncertainty surrounding the U.S. economy, related to the hugely-debated fiscal cliff. But, banks were able to offer more affordable loans last year, and that, along with the decreasing unemployment rate made people more confident and started thinking about buying new vehicles, replacing the ones they have been using for years, fearing they won’t be able to pay off a loan.
As far as which company had the best sales numbers in the world, it seems that Japanese car maker Toyota has returned to the top of the list. Reports say that Toyota sold 9.7 million vehicles in 2012, a 22% increase from 2011. It’s followed by GM, with 9.3 million units sold, and Volkswagen with 9.1 million.