Both Honda and Nissan had strong sales in December. Honda ended the year with a gain of 21 percent compared with last December, and an annual increase of seven percent. Nissan posted a solid 28 percent boost for December and 18 percent for the year.

Fellow Japanese automaker Mazda posted a rise of 18 percent for December and 11 percent for the year, and Mitsubishi was up 12 percent for December and crept up just three percent for the year. Tiny Suzuki seems to be making headway, with a strong 40 percent gain in December but finishing out the year in negative sales, down 38 percent.

Despite polariziing styling, the Panamera luxury sedan has helped Porsche boost sales. (Photo: Porsche)

Among the Europeans, Volkswagen Group had a total increase of 17 percent in December and 21 percent for the year, and BMW gained 16 percent over last December and 10 percent for the year. Daimler AG, dominated by sales of Mercedes-Benz, rose five percent in December and 13 percent of the year.

Niche players Jaguar/Land Rover was up one percent in December and 18 percent for the year, while Porsche showed the strength of its sports cars, SUVs and Panamera luxury sedan with a rise of 21 percent in December and 29 percent for the year.

Swedish automakers Volvo, still in transition from its sale by Ford to Geely of China, and Saab, coming back after its sale by GM to Spyker of Holland, did not have comparative figures to report.

Annual sales numbers for the U.S. auto industry totaled 11.5 million as it came back from the financial crash of 2008 and the worst sales record in a quarter century during 2009. The annual U.S. sales average from 2000-2007 was 16.8 million vehicles.

The outlook for 2011 looks beneficial for a continuing recovery in the U.S. and globally, said Ellen Hughes-Cromwick, Ford’s chief economist.

“The global economy is reaching a dynamic phase,” Hughes-Cromwick said. “Several indicators in key markets around the world suggest the potential for industry sales to continue to grow.”

Bob Golfen, Automotive Editor for SPEED.com, is a veteran auto writer based in Phoenix, Arizona, who has driven and evaluated essentially every new vehicle sold in the United States. A lifelong car enthusiast with a passion for collector cars, car culture and the automotive lifestyle, he annually attends and writes about Arizona's famous January collector-car auctions, focusing on Scottsdale’s monumental Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event and other Barrett-Jackson auctions. SPEED.com fans email Automotive Editor Bob Golfen at