Nichi-Bei News

News and Information from the Japan-America Society of Washington DC

December 23, 2006

Toyota Poised to Become World's #1 Carmarker

After 75 years, the world automobile industry is about to get a new No. 1.

Toyota Motor Company of Japan has issued a 2007 forecast that would make it first in global sales, ahead of General Motors, which has been the world’s biggest auto company since 1931.

Toyota, which had not even built its first automobile back in 1931, expects to sell 9.34 million vehicles next year. That would exceed the 9.2 million vehicles that GM expects to sell worldwide.