In what was a very tumultuous year for the auto finance industry, reflected by the top 10 stories, companies went out of business, cut back on lending for more credit-challenged customers and much more.

SubPrimeNews.com kept our thousands of readers up-to-date on the turmoil as it happened, including GMAC seeking and gaining bank holdings status, Chrysler Financial possibly going out of business by the end of 2011, not to mention AmeriCredit significantly curtailing lending.

In fact, Ford Credit, AmeriCredit, DealerTrack, Chrysler Financial and GMAC all proved to be popular topics with our readers for 2009 as seen in the list of top 10 most-read stories.

As the dawn of a new year breaks, more positive news is coming to light. AmeriCredit is incrementally growing originations, DealerTrack's top executive predicts a more positive future for the market and Chrysler Financial pursues new opportunities to stay in business.

However, the debate continues as to whether lending will loosen into the coming year, driving up sales, bottom lines and more. Stay tuned to SubPrimeNews.com next year to catch the latest news as it happens.

Without further ado, here are the top 10 most-viewed articles of the year:

1. Fitch Posts Negative Outlook for Auto Finance Industry; Looks at Specific Lenders

NEW YORK — In its latest market analysis, Fitch Ratings shared its take on what 2009 will likely bring for auto finance metrics. Getting even more specific, Fitch took a close look at how some captive …

2. BMW Introduces Special Finance Payment Program

WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. — In an effort to drive consumer demand, BMW has launched a special finance payment program on select models in its lineup. Basically, BMW will take care of …

3. Fireside Bank Exits Auto Finance Business

CHICAGO — Unitrin, which is Fireside Bank's parent company, announced today that the subsidiary is suspending new lending activity and exiting …

4. Former Head of Summit Acceptance Re-Enters Marketplace with New Subprime Lender

CORNELIUS, N.C. — In an exclusive interview with SubPrime Auto Finance News, the former head of Summit Acceptance, which was ultimately sold to Capital One Auto Finance, announced he is re-entering the subprime business as …

5. Chrysler Financial Halts Floor Planning, Chrysler Subvented Rates

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. — As a result of Chrysler filing for Chapter 11, Chrysler Financial announced this week that it is required to temporarily suspend dealer wholesale financing in the U.S. and Canada, effective immediately. This will continue as …

6. Ford Credit Cuts Staff in Response to Market Challenges

DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford Motor Credit announced today that it is restructuring U.S. operations, which will result in a reduction of staff and agency positions of about 20 percent. Overall, about …

7. AmeriCredit Cuts Credit Centers, More, In Response to Hard-Hitting Quarter

FORT WORTH, Texas — Reporting second-quarter results, AmeriCredit announced that it is reducing the number of credit centers and continuing to trim originations in response to increased charge-offs, higher delinquency rates and lower …

8. DealerTrack Trims Employee Count, Including Senior Execs

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y. — On Monday, DealerTrack announced a realignment of its work force, which includes reducing the work force by approximately 90 people, or 8 percent, in addition to trimming several executive and …

9. Chrysler Financial to Provide Zero-Percent Financing

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Thanks to the U.S. Treasury Department's recent decision to provide Chrysler Financial with access to up to $1.5 billion in loans, the lender can now offer zero-percent financing on select …

10. GMAC Revamps Board, Chairman Resigns

NEW YORK — As part of becoming a bank holding company, GMAC Financial Services announced some changes to its board of directors, including the resignation of chairman …