Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[GM reports Q3 global sales, trails Toyota by over 300k units]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/29/gm-reports-q3-global-sales-trails-toyota-by-over-300k-units/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/29/gm-reports-q3-global-sales-trails-toyota-by-over-300k-units/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/29/gm-reports-q3-global-sales-trails-toyota-by-over-300k-units/#commentsFiled under: , ,

General Motors is reporting global sales of 2.1 million units for the third quarter, which is down 11% from the same period last year. Through September of this year, GM has sold 6.7 million cars and trucks worldwide, putting the automaker further behind Toyota, which has sold 7.05 million units so far this year. The struggling U.S. market is a big part of GM's sales woes, as 61% of the Detroit automaker's sales came from outside of its home market. That's up from 56% last year, but down from the 65% figure for the second quarter of 2008. VP of sales and marketing Jonathan Browning points out challenges in the global financial markets as a big problem for GM, but also mentioned that strong sales in emerging markets is helping to ease the sales burden.

Since GM has a serious cash crunch and merger talks on its hands right now, it likely doesn't care much about a global sales race with Toyota. That doesn't make Toyota's accomplishment any less significant, though, considering how long the General has been on top of the global sales charts.

[Source: The Detroit News]

GM reports Q3 global sales, trails Toyota by over 300k units originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Oct 2008 12:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>GMgm global salesGM salesGmGlobalSalesGmSalestoyotaWed, 29 Oct 2008 12:35:00 EST<![CDATA[UPDATE: GM sold more in 2007 than Toyota]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/23/update-gm-sold-more-in-2007-than-toyota/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/23/update-gm-sold-more-in-2007-than-toyota/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/23/update-gm-sold-more-in-2007-than-toyota/#commentsFiled under: , ,



As we reported earlier today, Toyota is not expected to reveal the actual number of vehicles it sold in 2007 until later this month, but a source has told Reuters that the number should be about 9.366 million units worldwide. GM announced earlier today that it sold 9,369,524 vehicles around the world last year, which official makes it the world's best-selling automaker for the 77nd year in a row, though by the slimmest of margins.

We reiterate that owning this title makes little difference to either automaker. GM is in the midst of a turnaround in the U.S. market with sales in its own backyard still yet to rebound while Toyota is gaining marketshare in most regions around the world. Their global sales numbers are bound to cross paths at some point putting Toyota on top, and most analysts expect that to happen in 2008. Even if Toyota does pass GM in global sales for 2008, however, we don't expect it will be able to keep the title for very long before the General snaps it back. GM has a stronger presence in China and is doing very well in emerging markets, while Europeans seem to have taken a liking to the Chevy brand over there. If GM can get its U.S. sales back up, we expect it will remain the world's largest automaker.

[Source: Automotive News]

UPDATE: GM sold more in 2007 than Toyota originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Jan 2008 12:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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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]

Toyota may have toppled GM in 2007 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Jan 2008 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best selling automakerBestSellingAutomakergmgm global salesgm toyotagm toyota globalGmGlobalSalesGmToyotaGmToyotaGlobaltoyotatoyota global salesToyotaGlobalSalesFri, 11 Jan 2008 11:29:00 EST<![CDATA[GM passes Toyota for global sales in Q3]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/22/gm-passes-toyota-for-global-sales-in-q3/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/22/gm-passes-toyota-for-global-sales-in-q3/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/22/gm-passes-toyota-for-global-sales-in-q3/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Automotive News reports that General Motors' global sales so far this year have inched the automaker past its cross-pond rival Toyota. The Japanese juggernaut managed to move 7.05 million vehicles during the the first three quarters, while GM sold 7.06 million.

Of course, this news does not come without its fair share of controversy. GM's global numbers include vehicles sold in China with its joint-venture partner, which some analysts exclude. Toyota's numbers, as well, include sales of Daihatsu vehicles and commercial trucks built by its Hino division. Exclude these ancillary figures from divisions of which each company only owns a part, and in some cases a minority, and the results might be different. Nevertheless, the world's two biggest automakers are neck and neck in global sales so far this year.

The story for GM was very different back home. In North America, GM only managed to move 1.2 million vehicles in the third quarter, a decline of 6% compared with last year. Officials blamed reductions in rental fleet sales, rising fuel prices and concerns about housing for the slump, but not having a decent small car to sell likely didn't help either.

[Source: GM, Automotive News - sub. req'd]

Continue reading GM passes Toyota for global sales in Q3

GM passes Toyota for global sales in Q3 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Oct 2007 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>GM global salesGM global sales Q3 2007GM global sales third quarterGM global sales ToyotaGmGlobalSalesGmGlobalSalesQ32007GmGlobalSalesThirdQuarterGmGlobalSalesToyotaMon, 22 Oct 2007 14:02:00 EST