Good numbers for U.S. car makers

Ford sales are up 24%, Chrysler sales are up 17%, and GM's are up  11%. It's been a good news week for the "Big Three" (can we still call them that?). Chrysler and GM also announced they plan to hire more workers in Michigan, and the Brookings Institution says Metro Detroit is recovering.

Here are some figures from a number-laden Detroit News article on auto sales:

• Sales for Chrysler's Jeep brand were up 58 % for November compared to a year ago
• Ford's year-to-date sales total 1.74 million vehicles - growing at a pace double the industry average
• Ford's F-Series trucks were up 26 %
• GM's big brand Chevrolet was up 18 % for the month compared to a year ago, its sales strengthened by the new compact Cruze and popular Equinox and Silverado