Close Window Toyota takes world sales lead from General Motors in first 3 months of the year Wednesday, April 23, 2008 DETROIT - Toyota has taken the global automotive sales lead from General Motors, selling 2.41 million vehicles to GM's 2.25 million over the first three months of the year.
GM said Wednesday its first-quarter sales dropped across the globe by less than 1 percent, but Toyota said its sales were up 2.7 percent during the January-March period.
GM barely won the global sales race with Japan-based Toyota Motor Corp. last year. But Toyota overtook General Motors Corp. as the world's top automaker as measured by global vehicle production in 2007.
A record 64 percent of GM's sales in the latest quarter came from outside the United States.
Strong demand in Europe supported Toyota's worldwide sales.
GM posted record sales in three of its four regions, but a 10 percent drop in North America pulled down the overall numbers. Sales were up 8 percent outside of North America, the Detroit automaker said.
"While the challenges of the U.S. economy continue to put pressure on the automotive industry there, we saw nearly 20 percent growth in the Latin America, Africa and Middle East, and 6 percent growth in the Asia Pacific region," John Middlebrook, GM vice president of global sales, said in a statement.
Mike DiGiovanni, GM's executive director of global markets and industry analysis, said Toyota outsold GM in the first quarter of last year, too, yet GM was able to retake the lead by the end of the year.
He said the company is more focused on turning around its North American operations and becoming profitable worldwide than it is on beating Toyota.
"We obviously want to win, and we'd like to be No. 1 in sales at the end of the year," he said. "But really our focus right now is on profitable, sustainable growth across the world."
Toyota said output of popular, fuel-efficient small cars such as the Corolla model grew strongly in China, while production of pickup trucks rose steadily in Thailand during the quarter.
Some analysts say it's only a matter of time before Toyota - which built its business in the decades after World War II by imitating American automakers - overtakes GM in terms of annual global sales as well as production.
GM shares rose 36 cents, or 1.8 percent, to $20.87 in morning trading Wednesday while Toyota fell $1.05 to $99.51.
In the Japanese fiscal year through March 2008, Toyota's global output rose 6.4 percent from a year earlier to 9.66 million vehicles.
Honda Motor Co., Japan's No. 2 automaker, said its global production rose 4.5 percent from a year ago to 1.02 million vehicles in the January-March quarter.
Nissan Motor Co. said its global output rose 9.4 percent from a year ago to 950,878 vehicles during the quarter.
posted
Eu Contraire... when American automakers (designers/leaders) pull their heads out of their butts they will be competitive again both here and abroad. THAT WILL PROTECT (AND CREATE) JOBS.
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for one thing, the global multi-shift re facilities makes it hard to track. What some consider an "American" product may not be so, when you track the line.
for another, had I bought "American" when I did, I would not own the 2000 Nissan Frontier that I do. As far as I can tell, I got the best value on the market at the time I bought, for what I need to do...which is the essence of America to me.
-------------------- Nashoba Holba Chepulechi Adventures in microcapitalism...
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quote:Originally posted by T e x: As far as I can tell, I got the best value on the market at the time I bought, for what I need to do...which is the essence of America to me.
This could not have been said more perfectly.
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quote:Originally posted by retiredat49: Don't agree...Automakers make what people buy.
therefore only "the American consumer" can protect & create American jobs...by only buying American goods
I fully agree with Retired. I work for Chrysler and guess what. Sorry to burst bubbles but we will start building 2010 or 2011 (Forget which year) Nissan Titans in our Mexico plant. In return they will build some of our products over seas. The whole thing is stupid. We build the Mitsubishi Raider (truck) currently at Warren Truck. They all all in bed together. Look, Ford and GM share the 6 speed Trans. Chrysler and Hundi share a new engine. Toyota and Honda shares what....Nothing. But the real question is where does the money go? You buy a Toyota...likely a import so no Americans employed....no money in our economy brought by the working man. Toyota takes the money back to Japan....America loses.
Now Tex.....I can agree with you. You got the best deal you could get at the time. Good for you. I read Detroit News and they compared cars. Toyota Camery cost like $27,000 and got 35/42 mpg. GM Impala was same price but 18/24 I think. Chrysler Sebring...same price but 15/22. Easy answer....Buy the Camery.....but it sucks that we are asked to buy American when it empties our pockets at the pump.
So.....anyone need an employee discount....lol.
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quote:Originally posted by retiredat49: Don't agree...Automakers make what people buy.
therefore only "the American consumer" can protect & create American jobs...by only buying American goods
i admit i get a bit confused about this issue. i wanted a 4X4 to go real 4X4ing with my kids. i looked at jeep wagons and explorers. i got the explorer cuz it had a better set of axles and stick (nobody serious about 4 wheeling drives an autotranny, you need that "feel" to climb rocks and get inanadoutof holes, mud snow etc) i put a 4 inch lift on it, threw out the auto locking hubs put on some decent tires and i had a fair, family 4 wheel drive getaway vehicle.
this was before the SUV "revolution" i don't even think they called it an SUV when i bought it (it's a 92)...
the reason IMO for the "SUV" revolution is CAFE and safety standards. the auto companys were looking for products to sell that didn't have the same restrictions as passenger cars.
-------------------- Don't envy the happiness of those who live in a fool's paradise.
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posted
You would be correct retiredat IF they were of comparable quality.
But they are not. American vehicles (except for a few notable exceptions) do not meet quality standards as well as foreign vehicles.
Add to that the fact that many parts put into "American Made" vehicles are foreign made parts and the argument loses even more steam.
Don't get me wrong R1. We have a Ford Ranger plant up here that has been in its death throes for a few years (though it has been extended due to a bump in small truck buying)and I'd hate to see it go. But America is 15 years behind the times in small cars because they bought in to the same unsustainable economics of bigger is better and now they are scrambling to catch up.
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quote:Originally posted by T e x: I got the best value on the market at the time I bought, for what I need to do...
That mindset is the exact reason why we have lost so many manufacturing jobs in this country Tex...
I got what is best for ME...I saved the most money for MYSELF...
All I hear is ME, MYSELF, and I...What about US as a whole?
At what expense has it cost all of US...for ME, MYSELF, and I to have saved a few bucks?
no it's not...the mindset that cost us was (is), "F 'em...they'll buy what we build and BY GAWD like it!" GM, Chrysler, Ford...*could* have made Toyotas and Nissans--but they didn't.
And, btw, none of those companies or CEOs ever sent me a dime or a coupon for bread when I was raising kids, either. And not one of them is offering to help with my messed up mortgage...
It's a mistake to blame the people for their leaders' poor judgment.
-------------------- Nashoba Holba Chepulechi Adventures in microcapitalism...
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quote:Originally posted by The Bigfoot: You would be correct retiredat IF they were of comparable quality.
But they are not. American vehicles (except for a few notable exceptions) do not meet quality standards as well as foreign vehicles.
That's an OLLLLLLD excuse Big...Back in the 70's and 80's there were some serious quality concerns with American made autos...but that has changed dramatically over the last 15 years...
I know, because I worked at an assembly plant for the last 30 years as a Quality Network Rep and saw the changes first hand...I have also visited a dozen or so foreign assembly plants, and I have done many side-by-side quality audits between our vehicles and theirs, and there is literally NO DIFFERENCE in quality...
quote:Originally posted by T e x: I got the best value on the market at the time I bought, for what I need to do...
That mindset is the exact reason why we have lost so many manufacturing jobs in this country Tex...
I got what is best for ME...I saved the most money for MYSELF...
All I hear is ME, MYSELF, and I...What about US as a whole?
At what expense has it cost all of US...for ME, MYSELF, and I to have saved a few bucks?
no it's not...the mindset that cost us was (is), "F 'em...they'll buy what we build and BY GAWD like it!" GM, Chrysler, Ford...*could* have made Toyotas and Nissans--but they didn't.
And, btw, none of those companies or CEOs ever sent me a dime or a coupon for bread when I was raising kids, either. And not one of them is offering to help with my messed up mortgage...
It's a mistake to blame the people for their leaders' poor judgment.
Tex...you can put the blame wherever you want, but it doesn't change the fact that if YOU buy foreign made products then YOU are the one putting Americans out of work, or at the very least, lowering their standard of living...
Can't say I've spent the last 30 years workin in the auto industry.
Can say that my Honda experiences lend credence to independant reviews that put Honda and Toyota above American car companies in maintenance/reliability/life expectancy.
And you can not deny that Toyota and Honda have vehicles that get better gas millage than Ford/GM etc.
SOOOO....
While I respect your experience and ' insider knowledge' I stand by my statements.
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posted
when i buy a car..Ive got a 95 town car (gotta sell it, but who will buy it?)..Im a gonna buy something that gets great mileage and lasts..a honda or toyota probably.
hondas last forever..great car...come on america!..hurry and catch up..!!you're being left in the dust.
posted
lolololo, Buck, *I'm* not blaming anybody. Am merely stating the facts:
1) We are a market-based economy.
2) I work in one of the most competitive construction environments in the good ol' USofA...
3) I need the need most reliable, economical, stretch-cab truck I can get...especially nowadays (which I saw coming when I bought it a few years back). a) I looked for a Ford Ranger first, cuz I liked the styling over other US-built mid-size trucks; then I found the quality had dropped since the 90s, when they were quite durable; then I couldn't even find the stretch-cab Ranger in anything but a 6-cylinder; for that kind of mileage, I could get a full-size, turbo-diesel. b)Toyotas are the most durable, but with their resale value, I was better off re cash flow going with number 2: the 4-cylinder, stretch cab Nissan, for which I paid cash--figure out the savings: they were asking $7,400 if financing, but I paid $5,600 cash; so I saved about, what? $4k?
4) I've never made a decision to shut down a plant or company--although I've had a career jerked out from under me cuz Harcourt Brace couldn't figure out how to stay afloat. So Thomson Learning bought 'em--and shut down Fort Worth AND Philadelphia. AND my division--which I helped build--was the most efficient in the entire, global corporation...yet I didn't even get my seniority and associated benefits cuz of corporate shenanigans.
5) My first responsibility is to my household: my family and me. I never encountered any (union or nonunion) workers for GM, Ford, or Chrysler who were willing to send me part of their paychecks, or even to demand that their companies compete in the global economy.
6) I had my hands full raising a family and running a youth program that defeated the inner-city gangs in our neighborhood, changed the power structure of citywide high-school sports, and sent many kids into either college, vo-tec schools, and the military OR jobs they could get with a high-school diploma in hand instead of prison tats... In other words, it's not my job to bail out inefficient automakers. I cover my ground...and then some.
7) So if there's any motherhumpin' blame to spread around? Don't send it my way, bro...
Ship it directly, FedEx Express, high-octane jet-foolery to the cronyism-cabal that comprises the CEOs who encouraged Escalades et al so same CEOs could bask in short-term profits and windfall bonuses...at the expense of the planet, the country, the economy--and THEIR OWN employees.
-------------------- Nashoba Holba Chepulechi Adventures in microcapitalism...
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posted
What do Americans want in a car? I mean what are we known for wanting? Horsepower. Who has delivered on that in the last ten years? Everyone but American carmakers. If you want a car that handles like a dream and runs like a scalded dog, then buy an import. That is the only way to teach our carmakers to keep up. Hit em in the pocketbook and they will listen.
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posted
Back in the nineties when ford went to the 4.6 liter in the mustang GT's, I had an import. I had a 1990 Mitsubishi eclipse GSX with a 2.0 liter turbo charged four cylinder. And used to SMMMMMMMOOOOOOOOOKEEEEEEEEEE them. Buy an import do your ass dyno a favor.
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