Italian car maker Fiat says various government-backed car scrappage schemes across western Europe is behind a rise in sales last year.
The company says global sales of its Fiat, Lancia and Alfa Romeo models rose 6% to 1.84 million cars.
However, the parent company Fiat Group lost $US1.1 billion, which it blamed on restructuring costs and writedowns after taking a 20% stake in Chrysler.
It's forecasting a profit of between $US300 - $US400 million in 2010, as long as government incentive schemes continue.
