The car industry, in Florida and nationally, is rebounding from the shakeup caused by the mortgage crisis and Great Recession, which, among other negative consequences, reduced consumers’ access to loans.

But brands like Saturn, Hummer and Pontiac were discontinued. General Motors and Chrysler filed for bankruptcy. And the number of new-car dealers in South Florida dwindled to 185 from a one-time high of 220, according to the South Florida Automobile Dealers Association.

“Fewer cars are on the road today than three years ago,” said Richard Baker, president of the dealers association. “Three-car families became two-car families.”

While overall new-car sales nationally are climbing toward 13 million this year, they will still be four million cars short of pre-recession years. Despite South Florida’s 10.6 percent unemployment rate, most local dealers report a significant upswing in business this year. Some are expanding and even hiring after cutting their workforce to the bone during the recession.

“Our operation is leaner,” said Warren Henry Zinn, president and CEO of Miami-based Warren Henry Auto Group. “We have some brands that are doing well, like Land Rover and Infinity, and some brands that are coming back slower.”

Zinn said he’s hiring revenue-producing employees, including sales people and technicians, but not clerical or administrative staff.

Dealers attribute the increase in sales to a pent-up demand, as well as improved products and better loan options.

“We’re getting better cars with more technology,” said Rick Case, who with his wife, Rita, operates a half-dozen dealerships in South Florida. “It’s all about supply and demand. Last year was our best year ever in our history. And [in 2011] we are 40 percent ahead of last year.”

Miami Lakes Auto Mall is expanding to offer Dodge and Ram, as well as Chevrolet, Jeep, Chrysler, Kia and Mitsubishi. Business is up 45 percent to 50 percent over last year, said general manager Fred Senra, but revenues have not reached pre-recession levels.

“We went into the recession late and we came out early,” said Ken Gorin, CEO of The Collection in Coral Gables, which sells seven brands of luxury sports cars. “We are back to 2007 levels, and that was our best year ever.”

AutoNation, with more than 450 dealerships and franchises in 15 states, including more than 100 in Florida, closed 10 stores during the recession. But in 2011 it has opened four new Fiat stores around the country and Mercedes-Benz of Miami, said Marc Cannon, senior vice president. “The industry is improving each year,” he said, noting that company revenues and income have been climbing since 2009.

Baker said new-car sales need to reach 15 million to 16 million annually before the industry can return to the glory days.

“Everybody cut back to the bone,” Baker said. “The dealers are up, but we aren’t back in the rock and roll days as of yet.”