Toyota Motor Corp. sold more cars and trucks worldwide than any other automaker last year, seizing the crown General Motors Corp. held for 77 years. But with its overall sales having fallen for the first time in 10 years and the entire industry mired in a slump, there's little for the Japanese company to celebrate.
GM said Wednesday it sold 8,355,947 cars and trucks around the world in 2008, falling about 616,000 vehicles short of the 8.972 million Toyota announced Tuesday. GM said the shortfall was mainly caused by the economic downturns in the U.S. and Europe that slashed vehicle demand in those major markets, where Toyota doesn't have as large of a presence.
Mike DiGiovanni, GM's executive director of global market and industry analysis, downplayed the significance of the drop to No. 2, saying that the automaker is focused on profitability rather than sales volume.
"I don't think being No. 1 in vehicle sales means much at all to the American consumer," DiGiovanni said in a conference call with reporters and analysts. "I think what matters most to the consumer is strong brands and strong products. And the key thing right now with what the industry is going through now is viability and profitability."
Detroit-based GM, which has closed plants and laid off workers to cut production as it faces the worst U.S. auto market in more than 25 years, received a $13.4 billion lifeline from the federal government last month. But the bailout requires GM to submit a plan for long-term viability, and the loan may be called back if the government hasn't determined by March 31 that the plan can succeed.
DiGiovanni said all automakers are currently facing risks and challenges not seen since the Great Depression, and he pointed out that even Toyota expects to post an operating loss for the current fiscal year -- its first in 70 years.
Toyota's overall global sales fell 4 percent for 2008, marking that automaker's first decline in a decade. The Japanese automaker has cut production in both North America and Japan to align its product offerings with slowing consumer demand.
GM posted an 11 percent drop in global sales, including a 21 percent drop in North America. GM Europe sales fell 6.5 percent, including a 21 percent plunge in the fourth quarter as the global economy melted down.
Those declines were partially offset by a 3.2 percent increase in sales at GM's Latin America, Africa and Middle East region, and 2.7 percent growth in Asia-Pacific sales. Sales outside of the U.S. accounted for 64 percent of GM's global sales in 2008, up from 59 percent the year before.
Toyota's move into the top sales spot wasn't unexpected. The automaker nearly leapfrogged GM in 2007, selling only about 3,000 fewer vehicles than the U.S. company did that year.
DiGiovanni said Toyota's move to the top of the sales rankings doesn't necessarily signal a turning point in the industry. He said it's entirely possible that GM could regain the No. 1 spot once U.S. and European markets recover and sales in key emerging markets pick up.
"That story has yet to be written," DiGiovanni said. "Nobody knows what's going to happen."
GM shares rose 3 cents to end at $3.53, while Toyota's U.S. shares rose $1.64, or 2.5 percent, to $67.52.
>>>For Sale? Clicky!<<<
-----The orginal Mr.Goodwrench on the JBO since 11/99-----
It's because people want to drive "real trucks"
You know, the ones who's frames fall apart as you're driving.
haha, yea...gotta get me one of those!
but ya know, their cheaper cars really aren't bad...my gf has an 04 corolla ce, and i know its much newer than my 00 2.2, but the corolla is much better with road bumps, handles better, and is much quieter inside(seats are actually LESS comfy than stock cavi's)...and the more weight and less tourque (slightly) shows when she's going up hills...but her car is also MUCH more fuel efficient(spelling?) than my car. but, i guess to do a fair comparison, we would have to test the 09 aveo vs the yaris, cobalt vs corolla, malibu vs camry, and so on...they sell because they are a little bit more efficient(on the average). although, i haven't even checked...do the prices match up on the cars i put against each other?
it really all comes down to gm making more cars that are not economical(hummer, escalade, yukon, etc)...i'm not complaining though...still wanna get me a new camaro ss!
does this really surprise anyone?
Im a Xbox 360 fanboy...and damn proud of it!!
^^^ Thought the tacoma or tundra had a huge rust issue on their frames. Do a google search if u want more info.
Jookycola wrote:Brown Eye wrote:It's because people want to drive "real trucks"
You know, the ones who's frames fall apart as you're driving.
source? proof?
I also want proof of this. At least the Toyota will start every time.
Quote:
Watching you parade around my bedroom in a thong was a little like watching sea lions mate.
may start every time, but when it comes to cars, my cavi starts first turn, and my gf's car with new battery takes ~3-4 turns to start
tell me more about the falling apart frames.
I only know about the cam shafts snapping..... BUT they haven't even gotten 5 % of the truck market yet.... AND to be honest, I prefer the Domestic offerings right now over the Tundra.
My Cav
I give up...
i'm buying a VW those people love trees, so they should love eachother too... "Andy"
meh
the race was a big deal maybe 2-3 years ago
Now that the economy is in the junk and pretty much all car companies are doing bad and the Big 3 are nearly bankrupt, well there is bigger fish to fry
__________________________________________________________________
Where I work:
HP
What I take for Memory and Focus:
Focus Fast
link
And a good friend of mine works in a Toyota dealership, he said they are starting to recall the 2001-2004 models (I think) for the same problem. They are leaving 2 bays open just for switching the frames out, since it's a 60-hour job (book time)
Quote:
This is worth underscoring: This is not a recall. Rather, it’s an example of our commitment to the durability of our products and to our owners. These are older trucks and rust is a fact of life, especially where road salt is used, but that’s not what’s important. What’s important is that we take care of our owners. We just thought you should know that.
How is that a recall? They're giving notices to Tacoma owners from 1995-2000 to have their truck inspected for rust and will either fix it or buy their vehicle from them. That's a 14 year old truck. I think that's pretty cool myself. Show me any GM vehicle that was made in 1995, driven through every winter, that's not falling apart because of rust? Oh that's right. My 2002 Cavalier had to get the botoms of the doors replaced, and the rocker panels replaced 2 years after I bought the car. I washed and waxed that car regularly, but you could literally sit and watch the car rust. I can't imagine what that car would be like 14 years later.
GM shares rose 3 cents to end at $3.53, while Toyota's U.S. shares rose $1.64, or 2.5 percent, to $67.52.
GM you just got owned.
Quote:
Watching you parade around my bedroom in a thong was a little like watching sea lions mate.
My sunfire went through rivers multiple time throughout springs. It drove in Ohio through snow salt and ice every winter would go on 1400 mile journey three times a year and was not constantly washed and it was 1996. Yea it had some rust on the bottom and only one very very small spot of body rust near the rear fender. So no I think that they last decently. Plus rust on a frame of a vehicle specifically made for towing must not have a compromised frame.
Yea the whole who is selling more thing was important about 3 years ago now it really isn't important when they all just want to survive. Plus the heads of all of them aren't nearly as worried about you is first more about how much they sell and yes their profitability.
The proper way of using the word seen. It is not I seen it that would be I saw it. He has seen the car is the right way to use the word. English class is Cool. By the way thats my sig
[quote=TRD 901-Z™]i thought this already happend??? oh well what ya gona do, sell crap sales drop
it did, but then gm sold a few more cars and then they were number 1 and now toyota sold a few more so they are number 1 and if gm gets its heads out of its but maybe next year they will sell a few more cars and be number 1 again and this can go on and on lol.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sndsgood/ https://www.facebook.com/#!/Square1Photography
im happy with my "toyota"
lone_wolf wrote:GM shares rose 3 cents to end at $3.53, while Toyota's U.S. shares rose $1.64, or 2.5 percent, to $67.52.
Someone wasn't paying attention in Economics class were they? Google stock splits.
