AUBURN HILLS (WKZO) -- Chrysler Group CEO Sergio Marchionne announced this morning the company earned a profit of 1.7-billion dollars for 2012.

It was the second consecutive year the automaker made a profit since emerging from Chapter 11 bankruptcy approximately three years ago.  Higher U.S. sales of cars and trucks were credited for helping Chrysler beat their own financial forecast by 200-million dollars.

Overall, Chrysler sold more than 2.2-million vehicles worldwide.  The profit means that Chrysler's hourly and salaried workers will receive a performance award or profit sharing check. UAW workers will likely receive a check for 2,250-dollars.