Toyota managed to cling to the top spot in global vehicle sales for the first nine months of the year, hovering over competitors like Volkswagen and General Motors.
The Japanese automaker reported that sales have reached a record 7.615 million vehicles, which is up three per cent from last year. In the first half of 2014, Toyota sold 5.1 million units and projects to sell 10.2 million vehicles in total this year, which would be an auto industry record. Toyota also finished in first last year with a record 9.98 million sales.
However, the competition remains close amongst the top-selling automakers. Volkswagen reported earlier this month that it sold 7.4 million units, climbing just above GM, which has reported 7.372 million car and truck sales.
This tight race has been going on for several years now. That’s because markets such as China and the rest of Asia have begun to pick up in recent years, instilling more competition outside of the already-developed markets.
GM was the top-selling automaker for over 70 years, until Toyota took over in 2008. The earthquake and tsunami in Northeastern Japan hindered Toyota’s production in 2011, allowing GM to briefly reclaim the top spot, but the Japanese automaker bounced back strong in 2012 and kept the lead throughout 2013.
Volkswagen overtook GM in the first half of the year and remained in second spot, despite GM having its best third-quarter global sales since 1980.
Japanese automakers, including Toyota, are tied up in an unfolding global recall problem over faulty airbags by the Tokyo-based manufacturer Takata Corp. This will not be Toyota’s first struggle with recalls as they underwent recall after recall in 2009 and were able to overcome that.
Toyota has publicly played down its position in the top spot, saying that it is focused on delivering good cars, one at a time.
