Toyota retakes global auto sales crown from General Motors
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Toyota Motor Corp's logo is pictured on a clay model of concept vehicle NS4 at the company's design centre building in Toyota, central Japan, Nov 28, 2012. Toyota has dethroned General Motors as the world's top-selling automaker. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
DETROIT (AP) - Toyota has dethroned General Motors as the world's top-selling automaker.
The Japanese company says it sold 9.7 million cars and trucks worldwide last year, although it's still counting. GM says it sold 9.29 million.
GM retook the crown in 2011 when Toyota's factories were slowed by an earthquake and tsunami in Japan. The disaster left Toyota dealers with fewer cars to sell. The company has since recovered.
GM is also contending with a stronger Volkswagen. It narrowly edged out the fast-growing German company for second place last year. VW says it sold a record 9.1 million vehicles.
