All three major automakers in the United States -- General Motors, Chrysler and Ford -- posted rises in auto sales last year.

Chrysler Group led the other two by posting a 10 percent rise in December sales in the US and a 21 percent rise in 2012, the best record in five years. It sold 152,367 vehicles in December and 1.65 million units last year.

As a result, Chrysler's market share in the US grew to 11.2 percent in 2012, up from 10.5 percent in 2011, Detroit News reported.

General Motors Co. (GM) announced Thursday that its US sales rose 4.9 percent year on year in December and 3.7 percent in 2012. It sold 245,733 vehicles in December and nearly 2.6 million units in 2012.

GM ended 2012 with a total inventory of 717,025 vehicles, or 76 days of supply, lower than the inventory level at the end of November.

Ford Motor Co. reported a 4.7 percent growth in annual sales in 2012, thanks to its F-Series trucks, which has been the best- selling pickup for the 36th consecutive year and America's best- selling vehicle for the 31st straight year.

Ford, with its 2012 sales reaching 2.17 million units, is the only brand to top two million in US auto sales.

Volkswagen of America Inc. said it sold 44,005 vehicles in December in the US and 438,133 units in 2012, up 35.4 percent and 35.1 percent year on year, respectively.



Overall, US new auto sales for 2012 are expected to rise 13 percent to reach 14.5 million units, the best performance since 2007, driven by factors including the slowly recovering economy, more available credit and the need to replace aging cars and trucks.

Some analysts predict the US auto sales will continue to flourish throughout 2013.

Polk, a research consulting firm, expects US auto sales to hit 15.3 million in 2013.