GM may have its difficulties here in the US, but around the globe the General is on pace for its second best sales month ever. Second quarter global sales tolled in at 2.45 million, which bested Juggernaut Toyota by a narrow margin. For the year Toyota is still ahead of GM by 46,000 units, but much of that lead may have been lost after an earthquake in Japan shut-down 12 plants.
GM has done an excellent job of capitalizing on emerging markets like China, where GM is now the largest automaker. In the second quarter, a highest-ever 57-percent of the General's overall sales came from outside the US. GM may be doing well beyond our shores, but to get its turnaround plan to pay off financially, Wagoner's boys will have to make consistent profits in the US. Until then, it doesn't matter who finishes number one, as long as Toyota continues raking in all the dough.
[Source: Freep]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Bryan @ Jul 21st 2007 1:35PM
Go GM! As I signed on to AOL earlier I saw a story on the top 10 selling cars with room. Guess what? The Impala whooped the Accord in June by about 7k units. GM and Ford are on their way back!
MikeW @ Jul 21st 2007 7:54PM
The Accord is a lame duck.
There is a new one in ~100 days.
AMGoff @ Jul 21st 2007 11:37PM
But... but... wait... I thought the General was dying a slow painful death... at least according to the "expert" readers of Autoblog.
The earthquake comment was b.s., GM did this without the help of mother nature. I'm glad to see the rest of the world still thinks the General puts out quality products. I'm sick and tired of people trashing something like the Aura and still saying that the Camry is better. My favorite is "cheap plastic interiors." Hello!? 80% of the cars on the market have plastic interiors... the Camcord is no different. The interior quality of all three are on par with each other while the exterior of the Aura is way more stylish than any Jap manufacturer, save maybe Mazda, can make on a four door family sedan.
Losing the number 1 spot to Toyota this past year was the best thing to ever happen to the General. The giant has finally awoke from his slumber... he's angry, he's rested, and he wants the top of his hill back. I have a feeling the end of year 2007 numbers will look a lot like this report.
roar @ Jul 21st 2007 1:45PM
Does GM currently sell cars in Japan? Does Japan allow car makers to import cars into the country? Would the people in japan buy them if given the chance? How many cars does Toyota sell in Japan and if and GM had access to the country would the ranking be different? The US is a fairly open market and if Japan is not then what good is this ranking?
roar
Rambo @ Jul 21st 2007 5:34PM
No, The Japanese have laws in place to protect their manufacturers and make it difficult for foreign brands to make an impact.
I WONDER HOW WELL TOYOTAS AND HONDAS WILL SELL IN EMERGING ASIAN MARKETS THAT WERE ATTACKED BY JAPAN SO BRUTALLY DURING WWII. Much anti-Japanese sentiment still exists in China and Korea, the same can't be said for a portion of America.
I LIKE THE SPIN OF THIS ARTICLE THAT HINTS TO THE FACT THAT GM MAY OVERTAKE TOYOTA BECAUSE OF LAST WEEKS EARTHQUAKE....BULLSH*T!
Castle @ Jul 21st 2007 5:35PM
Yes, Japan has a lot of import cars. Seems European makes have the most popularity, primarily because they have small city cars.
over 50% of Japanese car sales are "kei-cars" which are small 660cc eco-city-cars that usually cost below $10,000. They are almost tax-free to buy. Japan charges tax based on the displacement of the engine. Also kei-parking is also usually cheaper (a parking space in Tokyo can $300-1,000+ a month).
To be successful in Japan you need kei-cars. US/Euro manufacturers haven't bothered making these cars since they have razor thin profit margins. But European manufacturers pretty much dominate the luxury car market.
Barney @ Jul 21st 2007 8:32PM
"Much anti-Japanese sentiment still exists in China and Korea,"
Just think how anti American sentiment works against American car makers now. At least Japan is still doing well even thought they are allies of the Americans in Iraq. Many countries may nerver forgive the USA bought realize Japan is a much different country then it was fifty years ago. The U.S. is not
icu812ru469 @ Jul 21st 2007 10:11PM
I agree, China will be GM/FORD savior in global sales because there is still plenty of "ill-will" towards Japan due to WWII that although does not affect the current generation of buyers, it influences them through their parent's experience. Chinese are very aware of their elders and what they suffered during WWII. Also, in China, there is still a good view towards American products.
jwgirardot @ Jul 21st 2007 10:32PM
Do you realize that in 9 out of the top 10 markets in the world, GM outsells Toyota? Guess which one Toyota is tops in? You got it: Japan. There, Toyota sells approximately 2 million units more annually than GM does. Back that out of the equation and GM would still be number 1, and by a comfortable margin. And that's legit, too, because the Japanese, as is pointed out, do not allow (as a practical matter) foreign vehicle imports.
I'm not saying that Toyota hasn't done a great job in getting to where it is. All of its competitors, including GM, study Toyota's successes and imitate many of them. However, that's also not to say that Toyota has not had some substantial help from the Japanese government via the aforementioned import restrictions and manipulation of the yen. Not only that, but look at our own U.S. double standards relating to labor/management relations that allows foreign manufacturers to waltz in here and set up non-union shops in the South, and there's a real thumb on the scale in Toyota's favor.
innocent bysitter @ Jul 22nd 2007 12:31AM
'Just think how anti American sentiment works against American car makers now. At least Japan is still doing well even thought they are allies of the Americans in Iraq.'
Barney, if you think you can even begin to compare the Nanking Massacre, the Manila Massacre, Bataan Death March, and the forced labor camps to build the Burma railway (among many others) with anything the US has done in Iraq, then your anti-American sentiment is what is at work here. I bet product has a lot more to do with why the Japanese are doing well.
Barney @ Jul 22nd 2007 2:03AM
Re:innocent bysitter "I bet product has a lot more to do with why the Japanese are doing well."
I agree. The post I responded to was one that seems to be a common one from Rambo. He refers to a war over sixty years ago and seems to think it has relevance. Toyota is ahead of the game because they earned trust and respect in their vehicles.
If referance to Pearl Harbour is deemed relevant then should be the frequent invasions by the U.S.A......NOT
Don @ Jul 22nd 2007 7:46PM
@ Rambo:
"I WONDER HOW WELL TOYOTAS AND HONDAS WILL SELL IN EMERGING ASIAN MARKETS THAT WERE ATTACKED BY JAPAN SO BRUTALLY DURING WWII."
Oh, about as well as Americans embracing Toyotas and Hondas after Japan killed 2,350 Americans at Pearl Harbor.
PS--Lose the caps.
Tony @ Jul 21st 2007 1:51PM
People like Chris Shunk that post on Autoblog are a bunch of pathetic detroit lovers.
Sorry to give you the bad news....Toyota has supply that will last till August (according to Bloomberg.con). So you and GM should not count on that as a way to catch Toyota in production. Toyota will make up for the work stopage through overtime and extra shift in the Japanese plants (according to bloomberg.com).
Mike Botros @ Jul 21st 2007 2:27PM
Detroit lovers are not pathetic. That's my home town, and I'll always be a Detroit lover. And I love Detroit cars (except Chrysler), but until sales get back up there, it's gonna suck living here. I'm moving to PA next week cause that's like the only place I could find a job, but I hope that the economy here recovers so I could move back here some day.
Matt @ Jul 22nd 2007 12:29AM
Hey Tony... you and my grandfather both have something in common. You're both pathetic and biased, bitter old men who would gladly touch a Japanese man's hand and fold into it their life savings if it were suggested they worked for Toyota.
Go die, please.
Thanks!
Honda Lover @ Jul 21st 2007 2:18PM
Even with earthquake damaged factories, JAPAN still builds a better car than Detroit.
Can't wait for the Accord Diesel which will again make Detroit look like fools for ignoring diesel in passenger cars.
A5-14 @ Jul 21st 2007 2:50PM
So you are also saying that until 2009/10 Honda looks foolish for ignoring diesel cars in the US? Got it. Thanks.
Matt @ Jul 22nd 2007 12:29AM
Better in what respect? I'd LOVE to hear how they are superior.
Please, tell us.
Also, Detroit looking like fools for "ignoring Diesel in passenger cars"? Interesting, last I checked GM had an 08-09 timeframe for consumer car Diesel introduction and... wait! From Autoblog's own post back in June...
"The new Accords should show up in September, but we're not sure if the diesel will be available from the get-go or if it will appear down the road."
You know say! No date on when the Accord Diesel will be showing up. That might put them in 2008 territory, which would be *GASP!* around the time it is suggested GM will also be introducing their products.
Please... more fanboyisim, ignorance and blatant, blind loyality. I'm loving it.
Tony @ Jul 21st 2007 2:44PM
Mike
My comments were not directed at good people like you.
I was referring to spin-masters who constantly ignore the truth to detriment of the themselves and the Companies they love.
Esprit bird @ Jul 21st 2007 3:45PM
Rock on America!!