Toyota has announced that it expects to shift some 10.4 million vehicles worldwide in 2009. If the company reaches their goal, they would eclipse the world record (9.55 million units) set by General Motors in 1978. On the way to that goal, Toyota is expected to best GM as the world’s largest carmaker later this year, marking the end to The General’s 76 year reign.
What’s more, some analysts believe that Toyota’s figure of 10.4 million is, if anything, a “cautious estimate.”
In any case, much of Toyota’s projected growth will likely come from developing markets like China, India, Brazil, and Russia instead of traditional strongholds like Japan and North America.
+ Associated Press: Toyota on path to break GM’s world sales record (via Detroit News)
How many dozens of times do we need to hear the same thing? No one is debating that Toyota will beat GM in sales soon. Do we need to hear it for every day, week, quarter, and year that they do? Do we need to hear about every milestone they pass? I wish their recalls got a tenth of the attention these milestones get. Jeez.
Mark
So do we send congratulations or condolences? We see how well that record has served the General.
I like hearing it - it gives me that warm fuzzy feeling inside.
Too bad quantity doesn’t equal quality.
That’s right, fellas…keep touting your sales figures and your willingness to smash GM records. It’ll definitely endear you to the American public.
I’m already endeared. No, really.
I guess that’s the same as GM quantity was never quality also.
I care to disagree.
Ah the wonders of free trade.
I care to disagree too. Gm has had quality issues for year and Toyota’s has only been recent. BTW since they started manufacturing more in the US.
I disagreed about GM not building quality vehicles. GM was the industry leader, except for some instances, from the early 1950s to early ’70s. GM was slow when it came to some market innovation, but the Buick Riviera, Chevy Impala, and Cadillac Eldorado were trendsetters and class-leaders in their day. The Corvair was innovative alternative to the Ford Falcon and Plymouth Valiant, layout problems aside. GM offered fuel-injection in the late ’50s and early ’60s. So I don’t find ziggy’s “quanitity over quality” remark accurate.
Ducati Minor makes some good points….GM used to be an innovator. Then they sat on their collective asses and badge engineered for the next 30 years. Only recently have they ‘gotten religion’ about technology. Why? Because Toyota and Honda have proven that people care about technology.
Nice defense of the cars made 30 - 40 years ago. Prior to 1975 GM made a good car. Over the last 30 years…I don’t think so. It’s been kinda hit and miss - with more miss than hit.
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