At the end of 2009 looks like Ford came out on top. “Ford’s recent results have been the strongest of the Detroit auto makers. The company has posted back-to-back quarterly profits and said it would be “solidly profitable” in 2011.

Tuesday, Ford reported U.S. companywide light-vehicle sales were 183,701 compared with 138,325 a year earlier. There were 28 selling days in December, two more than last year.

Ford, Lincoln and Mercury car sales jumped 33% to 179,017. Crossovers were up 51% while sports utilities were up 33%. Truck and van sales were up 18%. For the year, Ford’s sales were 1.62 million, down 15%.

Chrysler reported sales fell to 86,523 vehicles in December, with cars up 31% and trucks sliding 14%. Still, the company noted 11 vehicles saw year-over-year increases. For all of 2009, Chrysler’s sales were down 36% to 931,402. Chrysler, which left bankruptcy protection in June under the management control of Fiat SpA (FIATY, F.MI), has performed the worst of any of the major auto makers.”

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Ford Dec US Light Vehicle Sales Up 33%, Chrysler Down 3.7%

Michelle