DETROIT - Sales of new vehicles in the U.S. last year grew by 6 percent to 16,522,000 units, according to AutoData Corp., marking the highest rate since 2006, reported MLive.

For the Detroit Three, sales rose for both General Motors, which sold more vehicles in the U.S. than any other automaker in 2014, and for FCA US, formerly Chrysler Group, which has had 57 straight months of sales growth.

Ford's sales were flat, although the Dearborn automaker expected a slower pace as it completely retooled some of its facilities for an unprecedented roll-out of a revamped F-150, its best-selling vehicle.

Here's how the top eight automakers' sales fared in 2014 vs. 2013, per AutoData Corp.:

• GM - Up 5.3 % to 2,935,008 vehicles sold

• Ford - Down 0.6 % to 2,471,315

• FCA/Chrysler - Up 16.1 % to 2,090,639

• Toyota - Up 6.2 % to 2,373,771

• Honda - Up. 1.0 % to 1,540,872

• Nissan - Up 11.1 % to 1,386,895

• Hyundai - Up 0.7 % to 725,718

• Volkswagen - Down 2.9 % to 552,720