<p> <strong>12.8 million</strong> -- That's the number of vehicles by all manufacturers sold in the United States in 2011, the best year for the industry since 2008 -- and for <a href="/topics/General_Motors">General Motors</a> and <a href="/topics/Chrysler">Chrysler</a> Group, the best since their near-death experiences and bailouts. The U.S. auto industry has gone from basket case to economic bright spot. Throw in <a href="/topics/Ford_Motor_Company">Ford</a>, and U.S. companies' market share rose from 45 percent to 47 percent in 2011. Sales are short of the 16 million before the <a href="/topics/Economic_Recession">recession</a>, but a long way from 2008, when the question was, will the U.S. auto industry survive?</p>

12.8 million -- That's the number of vehicles by all manufacturers sold in the United States in 2011, the best year for the industry since 2008 -- and for General Motors and Chrysler Group, the best since their near-death experiences and bailouts. The U.S. auto industry has gone from basket case to economic bright spot. Throw in Ford, and U.S. companies' market share rose from 45 percent to 47 percent in 2011. Sales are short of the 16 million before the recession, but a long way from 2008, when the question was, will the U.S. auto industry survive?

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