Toyota May Be Number One But Volkswagen Is Closing Fast

Toyota Motor Corp. regained the lead in global car sales over General Motors Co. in the first half of the year, with Volkswagen AG poised to move past GM and push the U.S. automaker into third place for the full year.

The bigger question is how soon the German auto giant also will pass Toyota and secure the global sales crown — an internal goal that VW management has targeted for 2018 as part of the company's so-called Strategie 18.

VW, in a cautious statement released Thursday, said: "The Volkswagen Group is right on track for 2018, but has not crossed the finish line yet. For us, quality takes precedence over quantity. We don't want to be the biggest, but rather the best and most sustainable automaker in the world. For us, environmentally friendly products and satisfied customers and employees are at least as important as sales rankings and profitability."



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knowitall1985 - 7/27/2012 12:33:58 PM

+8 Boost

You think over the next six years Toyota is just going to sit back and let that happen?? I don't think so....

94geo - 7/27/2012 1:17:47 PM

+9 Boost

What’s impressive is Toyota is one brand (with some models being sold under Lexus, or scion in certain markets). Whereas VW consists of over 5 separate brands. Toyota will be the most popular single brand well into the future.

bintintin - 7/27/2012 1:37:44 PM

-3 Boost

Ummm doesn't toyota consist of 5 brands as well?

Agent009 - 7/27/2012 2:04:40 PM

-4 Boost

I believe since Toyota owns more than 50% of the following brands they are counted as well.

Daihatsu Motor Company (51.2% – March 31, 2006)
Hino Motors (50.1% – 2001)

LexSucks - 7/27/2012 5:28:07 PM

-4 Boost

Funny. A Toyota fan is knocking VW on how the VWs look. Pot calling the kettle black. Also hypocritical.

thetruth01 - 7/27/2012 3:07:00 PM

+6 Boost

Versions of this story have been cropping up for years. Proof is in the numbers. A non-tsunami, floods and witch hunt ravaged Toyota races right back to the top. C'mon VW, time to buy more brands!

mpls - 7/27/2012 6:29:46 PM

+1 Boost

Lotus..

Eyecarehawaii - 7/27/2012 7:01:48 PM

+3 Boost

Who care? Maybe the stock holders and company management - maybe good for bragging rights but it realy shouldn't concern too many others. If VW gains #1 it'll be at least partially because Toyota lost it. Remember the hoopla when Toyota overtook GM?

As long as both companies are viable and competing it will be a bonus for their customers.

USNA1999 - 7/27/2012 8:37:11 PM

+2 Boost

Eyecarehawaii don't even bother trying to put some common sense here, some of these individuals are too biased to understand your statement.
Does anyone remember with GM was # 1 and FORD #2. BTW look at the finances of both companies, hilarious.

lexworld - 7/27/2012 11:19:26 PM

+5 Boost

....Bingo! The Finances. That being said, until Toyota runs out of money or they somehow gets hijacked out of their cash by hackers...Good luck VoltsVangen.

lexworld - 7/27/2012 11:21:19 PM

+7 Boost

...Besides it would take a decade for VW to catch up to the quality of the avg Toyota.

lucus - 7/28/2012 6:19:00 AM

+3 Boost

Hahahhaha! Agenty009 had the time to search and provide impressive details about toyota group, yet he would not bother to correct that his lovely illuminati eh cough! cough! vw group, consist of 11 brands. Not long ago, vw made a big splash in the news, when they swallow porsche as the eleventh brand. Of course now Agenty009 will insist that he didnt know that and who knows, maybe he will be able to fool himself. wink!
Man, autospies is strictly for fun!

DuDE - 7/28/2012 9:08:24 AM

+3 Boost

VW have to deal with GM for the #2 Position before fighting Toyota over #1

USNA1999 - 7/28/2012 9:46:24 AM

+1 Boost

BTW Does anyone here purchases a car based on which manufacturer is number one? I don't get it, why are these companies so obsessed at being #1. They should concentrate on profits in order to help out the employees!
Therefore we don't have to see history repeat itself with these huge companies, when they become too big and cannot effectively run themselves they end up cutting jobs in order to stay in the black. In the business I am lucky to be part off, that is all we care about, the bottom line, margins per sales which ultimately affect my take home earnings at the end of the year. Which is return gives me more disposable income to spend and hopefully create more jobs and get this economy going.

wins555 - 7/31/2012 2:13:52 AM

+2 Boost

IMO only GM and VW are obsessed at being number 1. Toyota doesn't care as long as their profits and market shares are not suffering.

1CarSmart1 - 7/31/2012 6:12:28 AM

-2 Boost

"We don't want to be the biggest, but rather the best and most sustainable automaker in the world. For us, environmentally friendly products and satisfied customers and employees are at least as important as sales rankings and profitability."
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This is right thinking! And no Earth ruining vehicles like GM pickups and Jeeps! :) Helping others.