VW likely to pass GM as World's Second Largest Automaker this year
Sometime last year, General Motors lost the title of the World's Largest Automaker to Toyota. As you surely know by now, GM hasn't really been enjoying the time it's spent as number two, having been hit with what are surely the toughest conditions ever seen by the American automaker in its 100-plus years of existence. Perhaps some time at the number three spot would help?
According to market research company R.L. Polk, Volkswagen is projected to overtake General Motors in total sales sometime this year, assuming GM's sales continue at their current pace, which is down by about 31% from last year. For it's part, VW is expected to see a much smaller 15% drop in global vehicle sales in 2009.
Things may start to look better for The General once the pivotal U.S. market starts to recover, assuming that the automaker is able to ride out the storm with the assistance of the federal government. Polk's own predictions indicate that the worldwide auto market will increase somewhat in 2010 and hit a new record by 2012.
Gallery: 2009 Volkswagen GTI MK VI
Gallery: Volkswagen Concept Pickup
Gallery: Volkswagen up! Space Concept
[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
the_MVP_X 8:35AM (4/07/2009)
VW poses as the evil one, they make a frikin' lot of money and they don't invest any in cool designs.
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Soccer Mom 8:40AM (4/07/2009)
they don't invest any in cool designs.... and that's why they are going to be #2 in the world.
Yikes 8:52AM (4/07/2009)
VW doesn't make cool designs.
So you don't think Bentley's are cool?
What about Bugatti, Lamborghini......
the_MVP_X 8:55AM (4/07/2009)
I'm talking about VW cars, and if u talk about the VW group I can include Porsche too.
Eddie 9:03AM (4/07/2009)
Have you seen the CC, Scirocco or the new light-weight Roadster? Those are fantastic looking cars.
Swede 9:03AM (4/07/2009)
The Scirocco is cool.
Alex 9:10AM (4/07/2009)
VW is simply following the mantra set by Toyota. Build boring, because boring sells.
the_MVP_X 9:15AM (4/07/2009)
For me they are not, the cc it's a bad copy after Merc CLS, Scirocco it's not worthy of it's name, and that roadster it's a concept that I don't know what wants to be, it's a Audi and S2000 looking VW with Porsche configuration. So back to the drawing board.
Ken 9:37AM (4/07/2009)
Wouldn't this kinda be like saying Chevrolet doesn't invest in any cool designs? VW is their bread an butter car-maker for everyone, they have niche brands like Lamborghini, Bently, Porsche, and Audi to come out with the cool designs while VW plays it conservative and offers decent cars that most people would want.
the_MVP_X 9:40AM (4/07/2009)
Chevy make cool cars, check out the Corvette , the Camaro and other Chevy cars look better then VW.
Eddie 9:47AM (4/07/2009)
The Golf looks much better than the Aveo. The CC/Passat looks a world better than the Impala. The Tiguan looks much better than the Equinox, too.
the_MVP_X 9:51AM (4/07/2009)
Tiguan it's really ugly, I would take any other SUV , but not the Tiguan.
Mike Z71 10:00AM (4/07/2009)
*Cough* BlueSport!
Bloke 10:01AM (4/07/2009)
You're kidding? What about cars such as the Skoda Yeti, Seat Leon, VW Scirocco, Audi R8, Bentley Continental and Bugatti Veyron?
Given the sheer size of the VAG, it's hardly surprising they will overtake GM since it is trimming its particular group of companies and marques.
Heimbachae 11:36AM (4/07/2009)
guys, let the troll go cry over his dead car company while we are hissing around in our turbo 4 bangers.
mk3 5:21PM (4/07/2009)
I do not think VW cars are boring. So why the GTI has made history than. I am sorry Alex but you are wrong.
And @MVP corvette and camaro are the only design chevy has ever made. All chevy cars are just rebadged cars. It just disgusting. I mean Chevrolet it's a very liked brand here in Europe until GM thought that was a good idea to make chevy a disgusting korean car. I don't have anything American cars (in fact a love them) but GM has earned the failure.
GOT 12:00AM (4/08/2009)
@Alex:
Boring doesn't sell, just as ugliness does sell (Lowey). What sells the Toyota and Hondas are reliability, economy, relative affordability and NEWness. I don't know of anyone who brags about how cool their Toyotas look (some do with their Hondas... which are cooler looking).
VWag has lots of great cars, but they don't bring most to the USA, for whatever reason. The Beetle looks great but fails in it's historical modability (the original type-1 could be modified and personalized till one's heart was content. It was fun, nimble and economical. The new Beetle is nothing but the outershell... and falsifies). The Golf/Rabbit should be called the PIG! Their Polo would be fantastic, but even that is going to be super-sized and neutered for the USA market.
VWOA only has pittance to desire (which I do desire but not enough to throw money at).
Mr.Oak 8:48AM (4/07/2009)
Congrats, to VW. Like GM and Toyota before them, they know what's waiting over the horizon.
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Sea Urchin 8:50AM (4/07/2009)
Once Saturn and Pontiac are "off" GM, that will take about 400,000 units, plus a few thousand units with SAAB gone. But the key to GM size is Opel, if GM loses that brand they will shrink substantially.
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Mr.Oak 9:17AM (4/07/2009)
May be true, but GM needs to move away from the business model of so many fragments (Vauxhall, Holden, Opel, Pontiac, Chevrolet, Buick, Saturn, GMC, Cadillac, Hummer, Saab).
BTW: Opportunity missed = Buick Park Ave, would have done very well replacing the DTS and grabbing Lincoln Town Car sales. Would have been a great executive car.