Optimism on US market.- The case today is very different from the harsh crisis that lashed the US manufacturing industry in 2009, when barely 10 million vehicles were ordered. The car market in the US currently appears to be recovering well. Vehicle franchises in 2011 had their second year of growth in a row with 12.7 million units sold: +10.2% compared to 2010. The beginning of this year has begun optimistically for the industry and analysts are forecasting total sales of 13.6 million vehicles, growth of +6 / +7%. According to statistics available, the US spent $40 billion more on car purchases than in 2009. With growth of +13.2% and 2.504 billion vehicles sold in 2011, General Motors remains number one on the market, ahead of Ford Motor (+11%; 2.149 billion vehicle sold) and Toyota (-6.7%; 1.665 billion vehicles sold). (IL/transl.fl)