Toyota's the Largest Automaker ... Again
Toyota sold more than 10.23 million vehicles last year, a figure that was enough to make it the largest car company in the world … again.
Sales increased by 3 percent thanks, in part, to its Daihatsu and Hino divisions. Because of this the Japanese automaker narrowly edged out Volkswagen AG to drive away with the top spot. Twenty-fourteen may have been another banner year for the capital T but things aren’t necessarily looking as good this calendar year.
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Toyota’s deliveries are forecast to slump 1 percent to around 10.15 million units. Slowing demand in its home country and emerging markets is to blame. The company’s forecasting experts expect deliveries to drop by 9 percent in Japan this year. This would be the first year-over-year decline for the firm since 2011, when a disastrous tsunami broadsided a huge portion of the country.
In comparison, VW delivered 10.14 million vehicles last year. So, even though Toyota was No. 1 their lead was miniscule. In 2014 both brands crossed the 10-million mark for the first time. GM’s global sales climbed by around 2 percent, finishing the year with around 9.92 million units sold.
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[Source: Automotive News]
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Born and raised in metro Detroit, Craig was steeped in mechanics from childhood. He feels as much at home with a wrench or welding gun in his hand as he does behind the wheel or in front of a camera. Putting his Bachelor's Degree in Journalism to good use, he's always pumping out videos, reviews, and features for AutoGuide.com. When the workday is over, he can be found out driving his fully restored 1936 Ford V8 sedan. Craig has covered the automotive industry full time for more than 10 years and is a member of the Automotive Press Association (APA) and Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA).
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