Toyota Sales Now On Top Globally! GM Figures Deemed Suspect

GM's number's are going to keep dropping unless they can start producing better product's !!

They are starting to produce better products !! Saturn's full line up. Cadillac! The Malibu!

Yeah, "Cadillac is complete garbage".

That's what every car magazine, design forum, test driver, automotive journalist and average joe is saying.

Whereas the New Honda Accord has not had one critisim. Nope, no one here has critisized it. No one in the media has critisized it. No drivers critisized it. Hell it ought to be on the cover of magazines outshining AMG Blacks and Audi RS6's...or M3's while its at it.

And again...if you believe that, that bridge in the desert is still for sale.

toyota's new slogan: getting bigger, caring less.

Congrats to Toyota. Now lets see if you can keep it as long as GM did. ;)

Once again it does not matter who sold more cars. Toyota makes a lot more than any other car company. I would rather have more money in the bank and sell fewer cars. Toyota creates job in the USA. GM has bent-over too long for the UAW. Maybe its good that GM finally dumped its health care responsibilities (50+ billion $$$) to the UAW.

Congratulations to Toyota, but I am worried for them now more than ever. Not because of their products, but because of the sheer hatred even more people will have for them now. 'It's not easy being on top.'

"because of the sheer hatred even more people will have for them now"

Um, so what average joe has a sheer hatred of them? Most people I've talked to are only considering a Toyota or Honda as their next car.

what is to you who hates what? get a life.

I see where you coming from Anthony, but GM simply lied to the North American public, if that's the case in point. Just to save face?!?!? Now it could possibly loose more creditablity for them in the long run. GM knows better, and I honestly hope to god they don't come off by saying..."Oh, I did not catch that one" Look how many subsidaries it takes for GM to even try to claim leader of global production(at least 10 divisions), vs Toyota with only Lexus and Scion under their belt(full ownership by TMC! ;-).. And for 0to60's answer...Saturn are you kidding me? It's called rebadged Opels, and for the Malibu, they still need to prove themselves in the "REAL" battle field and earn the stars and stripes. And so what if the Malibu won North American Car of the Year for 2008, so did the Saturn Aura last year and all it sold was a pathetic 59,000 Auras(quality is not up to par for long term ownership that's for sure)combined in both U.S. and Canada withing a combine population of at least 175 million. And GM came off with the same attitude of "better than Camry & Accord" b.s. and when the dust settled Toyota and Honda still came on top. Not sure how the Malibu can be any better since they share at least 95% of the same gadets, frame and engine, etc.. as the Aura, just designed differently interior and exterior, and a little bit more of sound damping here and there. Not selling the car for supposed quality they claim, just the badge that says "Chevrolet". With this bold move GM just cannibalized their own Saturn Aura(or Opel for that matter)...after all that is what GM is good for anyways. As for Cadillac?...Love the new CTS and Escalade, but that's all they really have...again they have to prove themselves in this luxury segment they ever so successfully negelected over the last 25 years. All I can say is all the best to GM for many years of continuing heart-ache, & frustrations to come...I honestly hope they call really pull this off. But at the same time I don't trust a word that Bobby Boy "No Clue-No Nutz" Lutz has to say about GM...

Not that I like GM, but man the Camry came in last in almost every comparison to the Malibu, however the Accord whipped both their butts! Honda my friend....still the best and they don't care about being #1.

It is hard to be #1. Toyota has become very ambitious and may bite them. Time will tell. GM should not worry about the #1 ranking and just concentrate on continued improvements.

Toyota deserved to gain market share with smart decisions and GM getting fat and lazy. It will be a tough fight for both companies! Japanese Auto companies already have an advantage with not having any Unions (which may change soon) and the Japanese Gov't paying for retirement and medical expenses which was and is killing GM and Ford.

Now that GM has restructured their deal with UAW things can only improve.

Porschinator,

When everyone else tries to deboost you because of blind ignorance and brand loyalty I just wanted you to know that I agree with you 100%. Boosted!

I agree porschinator, look at Honda.... they are not #1 in sales at all... yet the Accord, even though I am not to fond of the new design, beat out the Malibu and Camry in most comparos and Honda is just happy where they are in the marketplace. Now their Civic, at least my brother's 2006 EX, has not been up to par, he has had 5 recalls and 3 issues outside of recalls, but the Accord's quality has been good for years. Toyota has slipped in quality as my friend's mom owns a 2007 Camry and it has had a transmission seize up at 5700 miles and at 8200 miles there is visible paint fading on the trunk. And she can't get that isse fixed because I think her local dealer has never had to experience issues other than recalls, something that worries me about Toyota's dealers.... not being able to handle defective cars since for so many years they never had to. Oh the Woes of Growing Pains!

Congrats, 'yota. You did it by fooling the ignorant with hype, and with boring bland designs, uninspired interiors, questionable reliability, and obvious cost-cutting; you are indeed the new GM. Laugh all the way to the bank.

they can't win a war so they are think this is a way of getting even

It is very possible that GM sales number a bit overstretched. Why would GM do that? It only makes me wonder. Funnily, i am sure anyone with even an average brain will know why GM did this. Off course to maintain good share holdings in stock market and off course reputation.

Just because GM or Toyota sell more cars don't necessarily mean they build good cars. It seem that while Toyota maybe selling more cars, their quality has suffered. On the other side, GM may be selling fewer cars, but they seem to get better and better.

That's ridiculous man. Chevy's are the best cars around look at the Silverado you idiots. Just because Toyota is more reliable don't mean they are better. My dad has a 98 Monte Carlo with lots of miles on it and it's still running good. And Chevy's have V8s. AND CHEVY IS AND ALWAYS WILL BE THE BIGGEST CAR FACTORY IN THE WORLD. PERIOD. So stop this friggin bullshit.

i think you need a beer and some nascar tv...wait did you say tony stewart was you favorite drive. aww shucks, he drives a toyota now. ;)

v8's are becoming obsolete in everyday vehicles...the most you'll get 5-10yrs from now is a hybrid with great greenhouse and mpg figures, powerful v6's with great mpg for the bigger vehicles or an even better diesel.

the v8 grunts are asoon to stop and will only be in specialty vehicles like the CTS-V, corvette, mustang, etc.

Not that I love Chevrolet, but have you all ever compared the Tundra to a Silverado, side by side? I have and let me tell you I was shocked! The Tundra had the cheapest feeling plastic interior than the Silverado. The whole experience was less than great in the Tundra when compared to the Chevy truck. However Chevy as the best and largest in the US? Sorry bud, it's not. Sales figures prove it.

"And Chevy's have V8s."
whats your point? these days, most automakers offer V8s.

Hey Nascardude...my father has a 77' Caddy Fleetwood still runnin' strong. But that evidently does not prove much based on GM's decisions in the past. 1st off they lost $13 Billion, resulting in loss jobs in U.S. and Canada, now they are starting to fall to 2nd place. Bottom line they should start to accept defeat. There should be no excuse coming from GM, especially when they have been in the game far longer than Toyota. GM was caught with their pants down...and now have to pay the price. Nascardude it's time to let go of your "MULLET" bro. As for keyzi747...you obviously don't understand the Automotive Global Market.

nascardude

u live in rich and developed areas like US and Europe.

Toyota has proven itself in the developing Asia, Africa...etc as well.

The driving conditions in those countries are very demanding. Bad roads, uneducated dirvers who don't even do minor things like monthly services, changing oils and minor accidents are soo common like u'll never find a scratchless car there...etc.

And the Toyota's have done and are still doing good in those type of people's hands. They are very reliable.

I bet give them a Chevy or Ford and see how they'll break down.

On the other hands we take care of our cars much more than them and road conditions are also better here, so we don't feel the superioe reliability of a car that much.

It's not by mistake or something that people expecially in those developing countries keep buying Toyota's and mostly Japanese cars.

I might not explained very well but i hope u got the point.

and congrats Toyota. The new NO.1

JUGNU

JUGNU, you've expressed very well what i merely suspected/deduced from film footage of the vehicles in 3rd world countries. whether travelogues, documentaries, films, or DAILY NEWS clips, i see mostly toyota and other japanese vehicles. sometimes, other euro cars.

i hardly EVER see american cars, and the few i do are mostly fords, not gm junk which seem not to survive OFF of paved roads like in the 1st world.

note that gm is still #1 in the u.s. but they are SO FAR BEHIND toyota in the REST of the world, that their lead in the u.s. is completely neutralized, and then some.

lost in your old world...

toyota execs guarantee increased reliability for 2008...time will tell and toyota will again reign as #1 in the auto world for 2008 as well.

hope that doesn't hurt your feelings cpt...you can bash the brand all you want, but there are many many many million(s) mile toyota's around the country to attest their reliability and worth. Hell, even J Clarkson put one underwater and even lit it on fire and guess what...still ticking!!! try that with any other automaker and let's see what happens.

Toyota is excellent. The only people GM and Ford can blame is themselves. Countless years of lack of focus and inbreeding have done this to themselves.

agreed 009. They are the ones that make the cars.. and they're responsible for the perception of their cars, not the consumers themselves.

inbreeding, lmao

i know you have trouble deciphering sentences, words for that matter, but if you see cared to look...it says they guarantee improvement, but we as consumers have to wait and see how that plays out.

anyone can make/set goals...toyota has done well in achieving their's. whose to say they won't this time again? based on their track record, they've done most of what they've planned. doing so realistically as well. ex: tundras expectations 200k vehicles, reached with 2% of the target.

Hopefully Toyota is not growing to large for its kimono and will not continue to have a dropping perception of its quality. Already losing out as a recommended car in several categories at Consumer Reports(did Toyota cancel their sponsorship?? LOL!), Toyota will be having growing pains no doubt. WHo cares about being #1 however? Is it not better to be #1 in build quality or handling, or design of vehicles? My friend's mother has had quite a few issues with her 2007 Toyota Camry as it has had 2 recalls, a transmission that seized up at 5700 miles and paint fading on the trunk. Again my worry is will the dealers be able to handle the quality issues after years of being spoiled of only having to take on campaign repairs such as recalls or dealer service bulletins? So far they have not helped my friend's issue with her paint fading. Even hid the other red Camry they had in stock when the main Toyota tech in the area came up to check it out for her. The day before the dealer looked at it and she got them to bring a maroon one they had in stock over to compare it to her car, with 8200 miles on the clock. The service guy noticed the difference and the manager just looked at it. The next day, no new one there at the dealer to compare it to that morning, coincidence? Or is Toyota learning dirty GM practices? Needless to say she was mad and they gave her a hassle about fixing it, she has since traded now for a new Honda Accord, saying as long as Toyota keeps getting recalls, she won't buy another one. This is what is worrying... dealership level handling of the current slip in quality. I owned a 1990 Celica for years, up to 188K before I got rid of it and it lasted forever, never one dash rattle. Her 2007 Camry had a small rattle on the passenger side and a buzzing in the dash.... with 8200 miles!!!! So Toyota, concentrate on quality domination once again, or GM you may become!

they are fully aware of the issues with this...i am hopeful they make the adjustments to get back on track. it's a tedious task being number one, and there is no other way to go but down. however they have committed themselves to changes in their drop of reliability...it is their foundation, so they will assess the situation.

unfortunate in yuo case about the transmission issue...but it wasn't to long ago when Honda had the same issue with every V6 transmission they produced (Acura included). Our odyssey went thru 5 trannies so far, but they have been courteour and offered all v6 vehicles from the certain years extended powertrain warranty. and rite now, they seem to have accomplsihed that worry.

a good automaker addresses the issue, if your mother was unsatisfied...i suggest contacting corporate when your not pleased with the otucome. they provide exceptional results for these exact concerns. and it's mroe the bigger automakers that lend the helping hand and resolve the issue as quickly and pain free as possible. (GM/Toyota/Honda/VW/etc)

LMAO!!!...Hey cptamazing, I think it's time for you to get rid of your Mullet too...It's putting strain on your pigeon brain. It's evident based on your responses that yourself and nascardude came from the same "Uncle-Daddy"...who uses branches as tooth-picks...after having some good ol' alligator steak...yeeee-haaa!!!...LMAO!!!

Sales numbers are only part of the story.Profits are the true measure of how a company is doing.Toyota sold less cars than GM for years but made billions more in profits.This allows them to spend about 30 million a day in R@D this helps them stay ahead in technology.

AMEN

GM just gave UAW $$50+ billion to UAW so they dont have to deal with health care related issues for thier employees. Americans who work for Toyota have health care and retirement. Guys who lost thier jobs due to outsourcing by GM Ford - have found jobs in Toyota plants.

You know, some people REALLY need to take their hands out of some other company's a$$ and think for a second before making comments like..."Oh, they have been going down in quality, blah, blah, blah..."

Well... here's a news flash for you! JUST MAN-UP AND GIVE CREDIT TO WHOEVER IT IS. GM was on the top for 70+ years and props to them for holding that spot for that long! Now, it's time for someone else. If you're going to b!&ch about how Toyota's quality is going down, than have you actually considered the quality of other top auto makers who were on the top and have held that position for more than 50, 60, 70 + years, even though their designs/quality were pretty low? Toyota has acknowledged the problem and are working at it to fix it. That's exactly why they canceled to build another plant awhile ago.

..."Oh, they have been going down in quality, blah, blah, blah..."

ROTFLMAO!!!

for all the relatively MINOR and proportionately MINUSCULE (in relation to sales) problems, toyota is STILL far ahead of the #2 quality mfgr.

from the CR analysis of manufacturer quality, most makers' products get to having 100 problems per 100 vehicles between 5.2 and 5.8 years. hondas don't reach that level until ~10.5 years. and toyota...

ta daaa! only after some 17 (SEVENTEEN) years!

(maybe it will take all of 16 years with the few glitches in the recent past, when toyota quality supposedly "plummeted."

toyotas have been almost THREE TIMES better than average, with regard to the problem rate. they could have dropped in quality of assembly by ONE HALF and they'd STILL be miles and years ahead of everyone else!

THAT, and not mere marketing, hype, etc. is why buyers across the planet have made toyota NUMBER ONE.

further, FOUR OTHER car companies fall bet'n gm and toyota in quality, including hyundai. it's amazing gm did not fall behind toyota in sales YEARS AGO.

even if by some miracle they catch up tomorrow, it will take between 6 and 17 more years before PROOF that they've caught up in quality will become evident. likewise, even if toyota quality suddenly goes down the toilet, it will be many years before this becomes evident on the road.

both are huge corporations that crank out some 9 million vehicles annually. this amount of momentum will NOT turn around on a dime. toyota has pulled ahead, and barring several catastrophies, it will STAY AHEAD for many years into the future.