The U.S. sold its last shares of General Motors on Dec. 9, marking an end to one of the most historic bailouts of all-time.

The sale leaves taxpayers short approximately $10.5 billion of the funds the Treasury provided to the automaker in 2009, according to Reuters.

Washington helped the Detroit automaker during one of its darkest periods, providing money that helped stop the company from folding altogether.

"This important chapter in our nation's history is now closed," Treasury Secretary Jack Lew said, according to Reuters.

The U.S. Treasury confirmed this week that it recovered $39 billion from selling its GM stake, and had put $49.5 billion of taxpayer money directly into the bailout.

GM shares closed on Dec. 9 at $40.90, up 73 cents or 1.8 percent, according to USA Today.

"When things looked darkest for our most iconic industry, we bet on what was true: the ingenuity and resilience of the proud, hardworking men and women who make this country strong," President Barack Obama said, according to Reuters.

A study released by the Center for Automotive Research this week said the bailout saved 1.5 million U.S. jobs and preserved $105.3 billion in "personal and social insurance tax collections."

The company has thrived recently thanks to a rising consumer demand in the U.S.

"We will always be grateful for the second chance extended to us and we are doing our best to make the most of it," GM Chairman and Chief Executive Dan Akerson said in a statement.

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