Toyota Remains Number 1 but GM Closes In

 Econintersect:  Toyota sold 8.42 million vehicles globally in 2010, remaining the world’s top auto maker for the third straight year despite recall woes in the key North American market.  General Motors also released a new tally yesterday for its global 2010 sales, at 8.39 million vehicles, slightly fewer than Toyota’s number, but a dramatic 12 percent rebound from 7.48 million vehicles the year before.From Shanghai Daily:

The race between the two giants appears to be getting close, with the chance the tables could be turned, seeing GM once again rising to the top.

“General Motors is going strong, and it’s a sure sign of its re-emergence,” said Yasuaki Iwamoto, auto analyst with Okasan Securities Co in Tokyo.

Meanwhile, Toyota wasn’t showing much growth in North America – and growing slower in China than GM – partly because it lacks the United States auto maker’s extensive model lineup such as large-size sedans, he said.

General Motors Co. sold more cars and trucks in China last year than it did in the U.S.  This was the first time in the company’s 102 tear history that GM sold more cars in a country other than the U.S.  This sales growth in China, the world’s largest auto market, bodes well for GM regaining the world leadership is sales that it held for many years uo to and including 2007. 

Sources:  GEI Analysis, GEI News, Shanghai Daily and Huffington Post.