Volkswagen Takes Lead From Toyota as World's Largest Automaker
Despite the massive dieselgate scandal, Volkswagen has managed to pass Toyota as the world’s largest automaker in the first half of 2016.
Volkswagen sales have actually increased 1.5 percent through the first half of this year, despite the fact that it announced late last year that it cheated on diesel emissions tests. The German automaker has sold 5.12-million vehicles through June, compared to Toyota’s 4.99 million. However, it was the same case last year with Volkswagen, who held a lead over Toyota after the first six months of 2015 but couldn’t hold on once the emissions scandal broke.
SEE ALSO: Volkswagen Brand Sales Up for First Time Since January
But now, the scandal’s effect on sales has mostly been contained within the U.S., which is one of Volkswagen’s smallest markets anyways. Vehicles sales in the U.S. dropped 7.2 percent for the first half of 2016, but Volkswagen saw a 3.8 percent increase in Europe and a 6.8 percent increase in China.
Toyota however could close the gap since production was slowed down as a result of an earthquake in April in Japan’s Kumamoto prefecture. Following Toyota in the rankings is General Motors.
[Source: USA Today]
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Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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If I didn't have a Toyota FJ I would have a Volkswagen. One of the best cars I ever had was a '73 Super Beetle. I got 185k miles out of the air cooled engine and made it from Denver to Ft. Collins CO on evenings where blizzards made it looked like a demolition derby. I don't care if they "cheated" on some stupid emissions test. They make some awesome cars and trucks.
"Volkswagen sales have actually increased 1.5 percent through the first half of this year, despite the fact that it announced late last year that it cheated on diesel emissions tests." Given the anti-Establishment-government mood of regular car-buying people in Western nations, maybe Volkswagen benefited from sticking their thumb in the eye of Big-Bureaucracy...