Toyota may have toppled GM in 2007
Toyota has revealed that it sold 9.37 million vehicles worldwide in 2007, which amounts to a 6% increase. Though General Motors won't release its worldwide sales for 2007 until January 23rd, speculation has already begun that it wasn't able to hold off Toyota's aggressive growth and will cede its title of World's Best-Selling Automaker to the Japanese automaker for the 2007 calendar year. Though the world certainly won't end if this happens, GM has held that title for the last 76 years straight. Analysts predict that GM will report 2007 global sales of around 9.3 million vehicles, so the victor really depends on the margin of error.
Both automakers are downplaying the significance of this moment, which is smart. Each should be focused on improving their businesses, and from our view in the cheap seats, it appears they are. General Motors product portfolio is improving by the day, as evident by the steaming pile of praise heaped upon its two newest U.S. offerings, the 2008 Chevy Malibu and Cadillac CTS. Meanwhile, it's brands are growing in overseas markets like Europe and China. Toyota, meanwhile, just keeps growing... everywhere.
Even if GM gives up the top spot of the podium for 2007, expect 2008 and beyond to be just as heated. Toyota is predicting growth, again, to 9.85 million sales in 2008. While many believe GM sales may slip further in 2008, resurgent sales in the U.S. for its passenger cars could help balance things out. We'll convene here next year and let you know.
[Source: The Detroit News]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Brent 11:36AM (1/11/2008)
Can we still assume that Tundra didn't hit the sales target?
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simianspeedster 4:33PM (1/11/2008)
if I recall correctly, the Tundra sold 196,000-197,000 units in the U.S. -- just short of Toyota's public 200,000 goal.
That said, Tundra sales from 2006 to 2007 rose almost 60% (!!!) when every other large track platform experienced sales losses ranging from just below flat (GM) to double digit losses (Ford).
If this was a bad year for the Tundra, GM and Ford will really dread the good years to come.
-SimianSpeedster
Reuben 11:37AM (1/11/2008)
We can kiss American manufacturing and engineering power goodbye...well not really but this sure isn't good news for engineers/unions
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Mr. Oak 2:17PM (1/11/2008)
Please explain, did I miss something?
Daniel 3:09PM (1/11/2008)
Same on GM. The stockholders should throw the bums out (Board and CEO).
Reuben 3:42PM (1/11/2008)
Just saying the general American public fails to notice that Toyota as a Japanese corportation send its profits to Japan, refuses to hire union workers or American engineers/ product managers and thus is damaging to our economy and manufacturing industry...which is one of the cornerstones of the American economy.
I have no problem with Rick Waggoner (or however you spell it) he seems to be doing a decent job, I'm just concerned about the downfall of US industry (and thus job openings for me and my friends)
Mr. Oak 5:27PM (1/11/2008)
Dude, Toyota (can't believe I am defending them) hasn't damaged our anywhere near what Wall Street has damaged it. Or These greedy American corps. That hide their wealth in the off-shore banks of the Cayman Islands, or ship our entire industrial base off to China and India. Toyota is not America's biggest proble.
P.S. I work on Wall Street.
Reuben 5:42PM (1/11/2008)
Ah, I understand what you're saying. I just fear the whole Toyota is America's car company perception basically putting me, my fellow engineers, and union workers out of good jobs, which will also damage the economy (though I believe you that some American companies are far worse). And yes youre right about the movement to cheaper labor overseas or south but so long as the company is based here most their profits come into our economy. I will resign from arguing with anyone know knows much about Wall Street though as I'm generally clueless to that arena.
MemphisNET 11:42AM (1/11/2008)
I don't think GM being ''second'' will be a big deal. At least they don't have 120day supply of cars they'll lose big bucks on anymore. And their product portfolio and good word of mouth is bringing back new and old customers.
Toyota makes a fine product, but their quality is slipping a bit. I borrowed my managers Camary for a coffee run the other day and I couldn't believe how the interior was warping/curling at the seams. Nice materials and finish, but horrible fit. And it wasn't the first time I've seen this on the Cam. This car only had 30,000miles on it.
I'm a domestic fan and I'm not trying to bash on Toyota - but for all the praise the Camary gets I just couldn't understand why (from the interior point of view. The 4cylinder/5speed auto is sublime and pulls that car around with no problems at all.)
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Pouya 2:41PM (1/11/2008)
"Camry"
MemphisNET 2:49PM (1/11/2008)
VERY GOOD POINT
im so smrt
cowboy bob 11:47AM (1/11/2008)
Apparently Toyota hasn't heard of the impending recession already underway. The global effect of a US recession is certainly going to reduce these numbers, perhaps by very significant amounts. With $4 gas guarenteed this comming summer, US sales of ANYTHING, let alone discressionarys like new wheels, will decline. There is no escape. It's oil,oil,oil,oil,oil, period. Wait until the Chinese and Indians double their use. "You ain't seen 'nothin yet".
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Brent 11:50AM (1/11/2008)
Algae biodeisel will save us all! :)
Mike 12:16PM (1/11/2008)
Yes, the rescession that the media has shoved down our throats for more than a year and a half... that just has not come?
And of course the $4 gas (unless you read AutoblogGreen and saw the government report indicating only $3.50)
Pouya 2:41PM (1/11/2008)
@ Mike
Let me guess, you are a Republican.
Mike 3:16PM (1/11/2008)
Pouya: even better, I am an economist and an independent thinker. I provide analysis on the secondary markets and am in the trenches with the hedge funds, inventment banks, commercial/retail banks, and high-level investors. As Craig Hester, CEO of Hester Capital Management, said during an interview with CNBC's Erin Burnett and James Cramer: "That's one thing about the economy, Jim. There's a lot of pessimism, and I think we're going to, through the media, if we're going to have a recession, it's going to be media generated as opposed from the economy. Things look very strong from what I can tell."
Let me guess, you believe Global Warming (what? cooling since 1998 and snow in Iraq, a first in 100 years?), wait, no, make that 'Climate Change' is a manmade occurance?
Mike 3:17PM (1/11/2008)
Pouya: even better, I am an economist and an independent thinker. I provide analysis on the secondary markets and am in the trenches with the hedge funds, inventment banks, commercial/retail banks, and high-level investors. As Craig Hester, CEO of Hester Capital Management, said during an interview with CNBC's Erin Burnett and James Cramer: "That's one thing about the economy, Jim. There's a lot of pessimism, and I think we're going to, through the media, if we're going to have a recession, it's going to be media generated as opposed from the economy. Things look very strong from what I can tell."
Let me guess, you believe Global Warming (what? cooling since 1998 and snow in Iraq, a first in 100 years?), wait, no, make that 'Climate Change' is a manmade occurance?
Mike 3:18PM (1/11/2008)
Pouya: even better, I am an economist and an independent thinker. I provide analysis on the secondary markets and am in the trenches with the hedge funds, inventment banks, commercial/retail banks, and high-level investors. As Craig Hester, CEO of Hester Capital Management, said during an interview with CNBC's Erin Burnett and James Cramer: "That's one thing about the economy, Jim. There's a lot of pessimism, and I think we're going to, through the media, if we're going to have a recession, it's going to be media generated as opposed from the economy. Things look very strong from what I can tell."
Let me guess, you believe Global Warming (what? cooling since 1998 and snow in Iraq, a first in 100 years?), wait, no, make that 'Climate Change' is a manmade occurance?
Mike 3:42PM (1/11/2008)
Sorry about the triplicate post above
Reuben 11:51AM (1/11/2008)
We can kiss American manufacturing and engineering power goodbye...well not really but this sure isn't good news for engineers/unions
Reply