The most tumultuous year in the history of the auto industry draws to a close this week with two-of-three U.S.-based automakers having gone through bankruptcy, all all three have been battered by a down market. Through the first half of the year, annualized sales hovered at around the 9 million level, the lowest in more than two decades. That’s a tough threshold for any company to make money at, and almost no one did – including the mighty Toyota. <\/p>\n Heading into the second half of the year, the prospect of a government funded “Cash for Clunkers” program helped spur auto sales, although the benefits were certainly not spread evenly among all segments. The final numbers for the year are expected to hit somewhere in the 10.5-million region, but the 16 million sales mark of just a few years ago isn’t likely to return for several more years, if ever. <\/p>\n The top 10 best-selling vehicles for 2009 contain mostly familiar nameplates, although a few positions have been juggled. Click here<\/a> for the full list.<\/p>\n Charting the Top 10 Best-Selling Cars and Trucks of 2009<\/a> originally appeared on Autoblog<\/a> on Mon, 28 Dec 2009 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds<\/a>.<\/p>\n Permalink<\/a> | Email this<\/a> | Comments<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.stoth.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/wp-o-matic\/cache\/8dfe2_bestselling2009_opt.jpg\")
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