Well, the final counts are in. Those of you who know me (Josh) well may be able to predict what this post is about (and if you are still lost, the title gives a clue ;)). This was to be the year that Toyota overtook GM after 76 years as the number one auto company in the world (which, I might add, is longer than the average male life expectancy). Several weeks ago, Toyota released preliminary numbers: they were projecting annual sales of 9.37 million vehicles. GM was projecting 9.3 million. Early articles touted that mighty GM had fallen. The race was on...
As they reached the back stretch and crossed the finish line, the real totals were: GM 9.369 million, Toyota 9.366 million. GM was the victor by 3,000 cars worldwide - a mere 0.03%. (Both automakers grew from the previous year but Toyota grew faster.) In the US, it is still more lopsided, 24% to 16%. Ford, however, bit the dust as #2 in the US in December and January as it has continued to cut fleet sales (rentals, etc) and tries to make money. So far, however, GM retained its title in January 2008, though the good money would be on Toyota for this year due to strong growth in China (where it just recently entered the market) and continued US growth.
The first time GM took the lead their most popular car cost $545 (the chevy 9AE). It's been a while...
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