WASHINGTON — The auto sector accounted for 12,500 new jobs in October — as it remains a bright spot in the struggling economy.

Over the last 12 months, the auto and parts industry has accounted for 75,000 new jobs, reported The Detroit News.

The Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday that the nation added 80,000 new jobs in October and the unemployment rate fell to 9 percent from 9.1 percent.

Auto dealers added 3,900 jobs to 1.049 million; auto parts dealers added 2,400 to 637,800.

Automakers and parts manufacturers added 6,200 to 710,400 jobs.

Over the past year, auto dealers have added 33,000 jobs, while auto parts dealers have added 12,000 jobs. Auto and parts manufacturers have added 30,000 new jobs.

But the growth comes after a severe decline in the sector, with hundreds of plants closed nationwide and tens of thousands of workers laid off as General Motors and Chrysler Group LLC underwent bankruptcy restructuring and many suppliers filed for bankruptcy.

The sector is down dramatically over the past four years, as automakers cut production, ended brands — such as Mercury, Hummer, Saturn and Pontiac — and closed dealers.

In October 2007, auto dealers employed 1.25 million people — or 200,000 more than today. Auto parts dealers employed 660,000 people — or 22,000 more than today.

Automakers and parts makers employed 990,000 people in October 2007 — 280,000 more than today.