DETROIT — Big automakers are glad to see the end of 2009, the worst year for U.S. sales in nearly 30 years.
Detroit’s three automakers and the top Japanese manufacturers — Honda, Nissan and Toyota — all saw sharp declines last year but saw momentum going into 2010.
Last year was brutal for most of the industry as credit froze, the economy and consumer confidence faltered and unemployment rose.
U.S. sales haven’t been so bad since 1982.
Hyundai continued its surge with an 8-percent yearly gain, while its low-cost Kia brand reported 2009 sales gains of nearly 10 percent and a 44 percent gain in December.
Japanese automaker Subaru, which reported a 15 percent sales gain for the year, called 2009 an unqualified success.
General Motors and Chry sler took the biggest hits after both went through bankruptcy court and stayed alive with government aid.
For the year, GM sales were off 30 percent from 2008, while December sales fell 5.6 percent.
Chrysler sold 931,000 vehicles for the year, its worst performance since 1962. The Auburn Hills, Mich., automaker saw sales drop 36 percent for 2009.
