NEW YORK — Auto Finance Big Wheels rolled out its list of largest auto lenders and lessors on Monday, and topping this year’s rankings as the nation’s biggest auto finance company is Ally Financial.

According to the report — which is published by the Auto Finance Advisors consultancy and is in its 12th year — Ally’s 2010 auto finance portfolio came in at $74 billion.

The closest competitor, Toyota Financial Services in the second-place slot, was $10 billion behind Ally.

“Ally entered 2010 with a new brand, the overhang of its federal government bailout and performance uncertainty swirling around its largest patron, General Motors, and rose above all that adversity to exit 2010 as the No. 1 lender in the land,” said Marcie Belles, editor of Auto Finance Big Wheels and a principal at Auto Finance Advisors.

“It's a testament to Ally's comprehensive strategy to garner share in all segments of the industry,” Belles added.

Following Toyota Financial Services was Chase Auto Finance, with Ford Motor Credit placing fourth and Wells Fargo Dealer Services in fifth.

To compile its list the top 100 auto lenders, Auto Finance Big Wheels said it examines public documents and collects data straight from the companies themselves. The publication uses a proprietary formula to determine outstandings and originations and utilizes a variety of criterion in doing so, according to officials.

Overall, loan originations were up 31 percent year-over-year in 2010, as the market rebounded from the “tailspin” of 2009, the publication explained. Leading the way was Toyota, which topped the industry in terms of auto loans and leases originated.

“Last year saw the auto finance market resuscitate, and we forecast the industry to truly get its 'mojo' back in 2012, particularly since car sales have taken off so far this year,” Belles stated.

“The market has a bright future," Belles added.

Auto Finance Big Wheels’  list of the top 10 largest auto finance companies in the U.S. during 2010 is as follows:

1. Ally Financial
2. Toyota Financial Services
3. Chase Auto Finance
4. Ford Motor Credit Co.
5. Wells Fargo Dealer Services
6. Bank of America Dealer Financial Services
7. American Honda Finance Corp.
8. BMW Financial Services
9. Nissan Motor Acceptance Corp.
10.Santander Consumer USA