It’s a three-horse race for the global automotive sales crown this year, with Toyota, General Motors, and Volkswagen sprinting to the finish. However, it seems that the Japanese automaker has pulled away far enough for analysts to call it the early victor.
Global automotive sales are expected to top 80 million sales by the time 2012 ends. Through the first three quarters of 2012, Toyota sold 7.4 million units, while GM and VWAG are in a close battle for second, moving 6.95 million and 6.9 million, respectively. These numbers are based on the methods the automakers themselves use to count their own vehicle sales, according to Automotive News.
However, some analysts may exclude certain vehicle sales. For example, some may not count cars sold by GM’s partners in China and by Toyota’s two affiliates, Hino and Daihatsu, which may drastically sway the final count.
Comments
So that Buick Regal sold in China is not a GM vehicle?
Why don’t we heavily increase taxes and inspections on imported Toyotas and what not? I read that for every ONE Chevy sold in Japan, there are FOUR HUNDRED Toyotas sold in America. Toyota would not come close to leading manufacturer if this was how we played. Is the Japanese government scared to see that American cars are just as good as or maybe better than their domestic products?
I know if we did limit the imports our products would be less competitive and therefore worse, but seriously we are getting slaughtered – to put it nicely.
With gm now building better looking cars, that appeal to more people than the stupid rice cars I doubt Toyota will take the lead
All the Foreign makers are the cheap “krap” they always made and all there profits go the there country. If any of your familys supported the attack on Pearl Harbor and buy a Toyota or Honda be ashamed. Support America.
Today’s Toyota and Honda are as far away from the attack on Pearl Harbor as VW is from WWII and its support of Hitler.
Tell that to the thousands of Military people that gave there lives in the war. Ifthey knew they would turn over in their graves.
The profits generated by buying foreign products or vehicles goes to the MFR’s country not the USA. GM & Ford are based in the USA and they pay there taxes here not in some foreign country.
Not far enough!
There’s no way any company can beat Toyota in the number of recalls.
More Toyota sales are expected, since their small cars are “disposable”. I see more Toyotas junked in my area (Puerto Rico) than any other brand, and less than 1% of their cars last longer than five years. GM vehicles are more durable, so owners (Like me ) keep them longer, and buy less.
But I hope the new Obama administration begins to apply import taxes to balance the budget and lower the trade difference. A boycott of all japanese goods also helps!
Toyota just got nominated for two of the most dangerous cars, the Camry and the Prius by the IIHS.