SALES WRAPS: The end of a difficult year

Globally, 2010 presented the auto industry with a lot of challenges, especially how to move metal as government incentives offered over the preceding two years ended. Sales results have been mixed but not all bad; the US ended better than expected and Australia passed a million for only the third time. China surged again. We've gathered our reports - including the odd brave forecast for infinity and beyond - here for your enjoyment.

US: Sales close out near 11.6m as 'trucks' dominate

5 January 2011

Severe weather didn’t stop December light vehicle sales. The seasonally adjusted annualised rate (SAAR) came in at a better than expected 12.55m and, according to Ward’s, sales volume in 2010 reached nearly 11.6m.

EUROPE: Car sales in Western Europe down 5.2% in 2010

11 January 2011

Data released by JD Power Automotive Forecasting shows that car sales in Western Europe declined by 5.4% in December to leave the market for the year down 5.2% on 2009 at just under 13m units.

CHINA: China vehicle market tops 18m units in 2010

10 January 2011

Vehicle sales in China soared by 32% to 18.06m units in 2010 according to data released by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM).

GERMANY: VW sets sales record in 2010

7 January 2011

The Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand ended 2010 with a new sales record: 4.5m vehicles - up 13.9% year on year - were delivered to customers worldwide for the first time in a 12-month period.

BRAZIL: Vehicle market hits new record in 2010

7 January 2011

Helped by a strong economy, Brazil's vehicle market posted a new record of over 3.5m units sold in 2010 according to data released by local auto trade association Anfavea.

UK: 2010 sales up 1.8%

7 January 2011

UK new car sales in 2010 rose 35,847 units to 2,030,846 units, ending the year 1.8% up on 2009 figures.

SOUTH KOREA: Hyundai India posts record sales in 2010

6 January 2011

Hyundai Motor said its Indian operation’s sales and production rose above 600,000 in 2010 for the first time since its first plant began output in 1998.

US: Daimler's Sprinter van sales up 2.5%

6 January 2011

Daimler Vans USA (DVU) said Sprinter van sales volume for 2010 rose 2.5% to 8,559.

AUSTRALIA: Sales hit 1m again

6 January 2011

The Australian new vehicle market continued to outperform other economic indicators during 2010 to post its second highest annual sales figure and record over 1m units for the third time.

US: Ford closes the brand gap on Toyota

6 January 2011

Ford is catching up on Toyota in the eyes of US customers, according to the 2011 Consumer Reports' 2011 Car Brand Perception Survey.

ANALYSIS: Germany's car market turns a corner

6 January 2011

As the German car market turns positive after 2010's post-scrappage slump, Dave Leggett rakes over some of the 2010 data and considers prospects for Europe's largest national market in 2011.

US: Hyundai sets new sales record

5 January 2011

Hyundai Motor America (HMA) sold 538,228 vehicles in the US last year, 24% over 2009, setting an all-time sales and market share record.

SPAIN: Manufacturers upbeat on 2011 production forecasts

5 January 2011

General Motors and Volkswagen have expressed optimism that their production rates will increase this year on the back of rising global demand for their Spanish-made models, the two carmakers said on Wednesday.

US: GM posts sales up 21% for calendar year

4 January 2011

GM is reporting US calendar year total sales for its four brands up 21% to 2,202,927 vehicles, with retail sales up 16% for the year.

PORTUGAL: Looming tax rises boost auto sales

4 January 2011

Sales of new cars in Portugal rose 39% in 2010 as consumers looked to buy new vehicles before a tax rise took place.

GERMANY: German car market up 7% in December

4 January 2011

Although the German car market for 2010 as a whole was down by 23%, it was up by 7% in December according to the VDIK.

TURKEY: Auto sector enjoys record year

4 January 2011

Turkey's automotive industry enjoyed a record year in 2010, according to local media reports.

JAPAN: Prius topples Corolla as best-seller

4 January 2011

Toyota's Corolla has been displaced as the best-selling vehicle in Japan for the first time in 20 years after being overtaken by another of the carmaker's models, the Prius Hybrid

CHINA: BYD posts lower 2010 sales

4 January 2011

Chinese reports indicate BYD fell short of of its 600,000 vehicle sales target last year, having previously slashed its year-end estimates.

SOUTH KOREA: Kia closes gap on sister company

4 January 2011

Kia Motors' domestic market share exceeded 30% in 2010 for the first time in 15 years according to industry data.

CHINA: Beijing drastically limits new vehicle registrations in 2011

4 January 2011

Beijing municipal authorities have introduced stringent restrictions on new vehicle registrations on 1 January in the capital in an effort to ease congestion and air pollution.

JAPAN: Toyota plans to build at least 8m cars in 2012

23 December 2010

Toyota expects global production to rise to at least 8m units in 2012, surpassing the mark for the first time in four years.

INDIA: Maruti Suzuki eyes building 2m a year

23 December 2010

Maruti Suzuki India said total production may reach 2m units a year by 2014-15, up over 66% on current levels once two new assembly plants at Manesar start work by 2012.