Toyota for the first time ever outsold GM worldwide in the first quarter of this year. So far this year Toyota is still outselling GM, but only by 46,000 units. In addition GM even outsold Toyota last quarter (April-June). Could GM win back its title of number 1 automaker this year?
Last quarter GM sold 2.45 million vehicles worldwide, which narrowly beat Toyota. Although GM has had many issues retaining its title in the U.S. other emerging markets throughout the world helped GM regain its title last quarter. A whopping 58 percent of GM’s sales came from outside of the U.S.
Although GM has managed to grab sales in other markets, the U.S. remains the most important for the automaker’s overall profitability. The U.S. is the world’s most profitable market and with GM’s sales decreasing in the U.S. the automaker’s problems are far from over. Profits in these emerging markets generate lower profits per car.
GM’s share of the U.S. automarket fell to 24.6 percent last year which is down from 26.2 percent in 2005. Meanwhile Toyota’s market share in the U.S. grew to 15.5 percent which was up from 13.3 percent in 2005.
Full Story: Freep
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