Close But No Cigar: Toyota BARELY Keeps Worlds Biggest Automaker Crown Despite VW Challenge

Toyota Motor Corp. defended its crown as the world’s biggest automaker in 2014, selling 10.23 million vehicles to keep a slim lead over German rival Volkswagen AG.

But the Japanese giant also forecast sales to slump 1 percent to 10.15 million in the current calendar year, on the back of slowing demand in Japan and emerging markets.

It would be the first time sales have fallen since 2011, when Japanese automakers were broadsided by the killer Japanese earthquake and tsunami that derailed production and sales.

Another retreat could open the door for VW to steal the lead in 2015.

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MDarringer - 1/21/2015 8:11:18 PM

+1 Boost

The real story is in profit margin. VWAG's profit margin is WAY LOWER than Toyota. So, VW is getting sales but not making the money they should.

chewy - 1/22/2015 2:47:28 AM

+1 Boost

So what are the profit margins for the two companies?

MDarringer - 1/22/2015 9:00:24 AM

+1 Boost

VW itself noted that its challenge isn't simply volume but profit margin on the volume which was a least a 1/3 lower than Toyota if I recall correctly.