But Japanese automaker still holds lead for first-half of 2007
TOKYO - Toyota slipped behind General Motors in global sales in the second quarter but retained its lead for the first-half of the year, numbers showed Friday, as the two companies jostle for the title world’s biggest automaker.
The figures — and sales growth rates — indicate that Toyota could overtake GM as the No. 1 automaker, a title the U.S. giant has held for 76 years. Typically, rankings are determined by full-year production figures, not sales, so that distinction will have to wait until data is tallied for the entire year.
Toyota Motor Corp. said worldwide sales in the April-June quarter totaled 2.37 million vehicles, while GM said its global sales reached 2.41 million, according to preliminary numbers.
In the first quarter, Toyota sold more cars and trucks around the world than GM for the first time ever — 2.35 million vehicles to GM’s 2.27 million.
But strong growth at General Motors Corp. in Latin America, Asia and other emerging markets lifted sales by 0.4 percent in the most recent quarter, again putting it ahead of Toyota.
The Japanese manufacturer said its quarterly sales rose at a much faster rate of 7 percent. Many analysts expect that Toyota will surpass GM in both sales and production for the full year.
Figures tallying sales for the first six months of the year give Toyota the edge, 4.72 million vehicles sold compared with the 4.67 million for GM.
“Toyota is making a solid move to the top,” said Shigeru Matsumura, an auto analyst with SMBC Friend Securities Co. in Tokyo. “The company’s comprehensive strength in the fields of production, technology and sales has been made over a long spell. Its solid footing is stronger than that of GM’s.”
The Toyota City-based automaker has snatched U.S. market share away from Detroit automakers as the surge in oil prices has increased demand for Toyota’s fuel-efficient models, including the Corolla, Camry and hybrid Prius.
A decade ago, GM controlled about a third of the U.S. market while Toyota had barely 8 percent. Today, GM’s share has dwindled to 24 percent, while Toyota’s has climbed to more than 15 percent, a market share comparable to Ford Motor Co.
But Toyota’s success has triggered concern among its executives of a political backlash in the United States. Lawmakers from manufacturing states claim the Japanese government has kept the yen artificially low, giving Japanese automakers an advantage.
Some U.S. legislators also criticize Toyota for importing nearly half the vehicles it sells in the United States. Last year, Toyota imported 46 percent of its U.S. sales.
To deflect criticism, Toyota has steadily expanded production capacity in the U.S., in April breaking ground in Tupelo, Mississippi, for its eighth vehicle assembly plant in North America, the fourth in five years. The factory is set to begin production in 2010.
A series of recent recalls has also raised some doubts whether Toyota can maintain quality standards as its global sales expand rapidly. Toyota executives have repeatedly expressed concerns about sliding quality and have promised to strengthen quality controls.
GM, meanwhile, is seeing its biggest sales grow outside the United States. Its sales in Latin America, Africa and the Middle East grew 19.7 percent during the quarter, while sales in Asia rose 8.2 percent. Sales in Europe rose 4.7 percent, while sales in North American fell 7 percent, the company said.
In the first quarter, Toyota’s group global production totaled 2.37 million vehicles, slightly more than GM’s 2.34 million. Toyota is set to release second quarter output numbers later this month.
In 2006, Toyota’s global production was about 9 million vehicles, while GM and its affiliates produced 9.18 million vehicles worldwide.
Toyota shares rose 20 yen, or 0.27 percent, to close Friday at 7,560 yen. GM shares fell 62 cents, or 1.7 percent, to $35.38 Thursday.
Toyota actually surpassed GM in 2006. GM just likes to pretend it is No.1. Their pathetic attempt to add joint venture products where they own the minority share to their sales figure is so funny. Can you imagine they are including a Chinese van called Wilung in their sales figure.
I don't care who is number one in sales. And it shouldn't be a big deal for consumers either if you ask me. Just make good reliable products. I don't think that is too much to ask from any automaker.
I don't care who is number one in sales. And it shouldn't be a big deal for consumers either if you ask me. Just make good reliable products. I don't think that is too much to ask from any automaker.
I actually think its better Toyota sits at #2 and let GM take all the flak that comes with being #1.
I agree. For Toyota to become "#1" using this strange way of calculations would be like taking candy from a kinder gardener: It's easy, but the only thing you get out of it is a crying child and a piece of candy that has been in the mouth of the child... for 75 years.
GM prides itself being "Numbero uno in ze World!", so why not just let it and let it count some Chinese vans that no one knows about count in its sales?
I agree. For Toyota to become "#1" using this strange way of calculations would be like taking candy from a kinder gardener: It's easy, but the only thing you get out of it is a crying child and a piece of candy that has been in the mouth of the child... for 75 years.
GM prides itself being "Numbero uno in ze World!", so why not just let it and let it count some Chinese vans that no one knows about count in its sales?
X2...being #1 means having a bigger target on your back
Id very much like to see Toyota takes the #1 spot in worldwide sales. GM seems to have this attitude thats its their right to be #1 and that no one could ever challenge them, much less beat them.
I hope Toyota pimpslaps them for the rest of the year and puts them in their place.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vmax2007
Toyota is not any more "special" than every other company the media has targeted in the past.
'07 Toyota Camry LE
Toyota: Like other cars, only better.
slipping behind GM is not that big of a deal considering GM has god-knows how many brands under their belt
Amen to that! With 9 brands alone in the U.S. market, that isnt saying much. Toyota, that i know of, has 3 brands world wide. GM has more than that, by far.
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'05 Camry SE. Fwd/I4/5spd. Super white with black leather interior. My personal limo
'90 Pickup Std. Cab DLX. 4wd/I4/5spd. 3" body lift and Tundra 17's. 7M-GE swap in progress
Amen to that! With 9 brands alone in the U.S. market, that isnt saying much. Toyota, that i know of, has 3 brands world wide. GM has more than that, by far.
You forgot Hino and Daihatsu.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vmax2007
Toyota is not any more "special" than every other company the media has targeted in the past.
'07 Toyota Camry LE
Toyota: Like other cars, only better.
I agree. For Toyota to become "#1" using this strange way of calculations would be like taking candy from a kinder gardener: It's easy, but the only thing you get out of it is a crying child and a piece of candy that has been in the mouth of the child... for 75 years.
GM prides itself being "Numbero uno in ze World!", so why not just let it and let it count some Chinese vans that no one knows about count in its sales?
What's a "kinder gardener"? The opposite of a Mean Gardener?
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