Did Toyota Already Topple GM To Be Number One?

Toyota's worldwide sales increase of 6 percent in 2007 was helped by strong growth in overseas markets, the Japanese automaker said Thursday. It forecast a further 5 percent sales rise this year to 9.85 million vehicles.

GM has not issued its 2007 sales, but the two automakers have been running neck-and-neck this year in a high-profile horse race.
 

GM spokesman John McDonald said the U.S. automaker would announce its full-year sales on Jan. 23. He said GM had not issued an estimate, but some media reports said the U.S. automaker had predicted its 2007 sales would be around 9.3 million.

In the first nine months of 2007, GM sold 7.06 million vehicles, narrowly ahead of Toyota's 7.05 million cars and trucks sold under the Toyota, Hino, Daihatsu, Scion and Lexus brands.

Most industry forecasters have been predicting that Toyota would overtake GM in 2007 or 2008, but Toyota executives have downplayed the importance of such a milestone.
 

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jon21 - 1/11/2008 1:46:58 PM

+9 Boost

Toyota is already #1 in profit.

farabira1 - 1/11/2008 2:04:48 PM

-7 Boost

so what?

DrFill2001 - 1/11/2008 2:08:38 PM

+6 Boost

They need to make sure they focus on tightening the quality reins this year. Put the growing pains behind them. I hope the "Customer First" initiative is effective.
DrFill

r15mohd - 1/11/2008 2:15:05 PM

+8 Boost

company execs for toyota have made it a commitment to make sure the issues that plagued toyota don't happen again and that their name in reliability is strong again.

there is an article on it here somewhere...

kpaxx - 1/11/2008 2:50:49 PM

-6 Boost

yeah right....ford has been saying this for years.... its called qualities of scale the more you numbers you manufacture the more likely you manufacture crap

0to60 - 1/11/2008 6:48:09 PM

+9 Boost

in response to kpaxx

No, Toyota has not only been saying it, they have previously done it. And can do it again. Ford has rarely produced quality in its "recent" existence

chuck717 - 1/11/2008 2:08:45 PM

+2 Boost

I don't know about you people but the least of the worries is who number one in the world is. With Country Wide now gone and the housing meltdown worse the ever , the stock market tanking, oil through thru the roof as is most commodities, and layoffs coming down the pike in early spring, Toyota and all the rest of the car companies may have no customers left to buy these machines?

r15mohd - 1/11/2008 2:13:53 PM

+8 Boost

true, but they are the ones whove been focussing on providing more for your money.

XYZZ - 1/14/2008 2:43:20 AM

+3 Boost

as the economy worsens, the people who can still afford to buy new vehicles can and do become MORE PICKY.

in this situation, QUALITY COUNTS ever more. it may be bad news for the rest of the industry, but toyota is likely to nibble away ever more MARKET SHARE. whether the total annual industry sales grow, shrink, or hold even.
it price wars ensue, toyota is even MORE likely to prevail, having the largest war chest.

this puts supposedly 'patriotic' domestic fanboys in a quandary. is it better or worse, if tundra continually gains market share, keeping AMERICANS working in san antonio; or is it better if ford makes a vigorous comeback, keeping MEXICAN workers busy?

XYZZ - 1/14/2008 2:54:48 AM

+2 Boost

if price wars...

JUGNU - 1/11/2008 2:36:37 PM

+5 Boost

"but Toyota executives have downplayed the importance of such a milestone."

I thinks that's right. They should not celebrate or think about this milestone too much. but should keep on working harder and harder and providing the world great products.

persuit of Perfection should contineu.

btw Congrats Toyota. The No.1 Automaker in the world.

JUGNU

pacotacolol - 1/11/2008 3:38:38 PM

+4 Boost

Toyota is the king of automarket.

toolatetorace - 1/11/2008 11:29:41 PM

-5 Boost

you are one sick dude

olscuul - 1/11/2008 9:57:18 PM

-3 Boost

more 0% for 5 years will help the 'T' get there.

krackerhatesme - 1/12/2008 10:26:36 PM

+7 Boost

Hard working Americans at Toyota are biulding cars not sitting at home collecting UAW checks. Toyota makes more money than GM - I would rather make money than sell more cars - Pride is in the bank. Would you rather work for a company that sent your co-workers job to Mexico or Canada? Or would you rather see a Company that provides a great job oppurtunities here in the USA - and that money stays here since Toyota reinvests in the USA.

racedogs - 1/25/2008 12:49:49 PM

+2 Boost

The bottom line is quality; GM just doesn't have it.