Toyota Regains Place as World's Largest Automaker in 1st Half of 2012

ToyotaToyotaJapan, 1937 > present155 models
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annnounced yesterday that it has sold 4.97 million cars in the first half of 2012. That beats the 4.67 million cars General MotorsGMUnited States of America, 1998 > present8 models
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has sold in the same period and the 4.45 million cars from VolkswagenVolkswagenGermany, 1938 > present98 models
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. Toyota suffered last year after the tsunami hit Japan in March crippling its factories worldwide. Then a few months later floods in Thailand further harmed production. Now, it is nearly impossible to make the argument that Toyota is still recovering from its setbacks. 

Toyota, GM and Volkswagen have all held the top spot as world's largest automaker at various times. But even now, Toyota's lead is insecure. It is just 300,000 cars ahead GM and about 500,000 cars ahead Volkswagen. If Japan or North America where Toyota is strongest would suffer any economic setbacks, then it could lose its position again. 

GM is in the middle of a major global product rollout. It has new CadillacsCadillacUnited States of America, 1902 > present79 models
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and ChevroletsChevroletUnited States of America, 1911 > present82 models
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coming to the US, and the Opel MokkaOpel Mokka Gen.1Germany, 2012 > present55 versions
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and its twin the Buick Encore for Europe and the US. 

In comparison, Toyota introduced most of its new products last year. It has the new Lexus LSLexus LS Gen.4Japan, 2006 > present40 versions
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coming, but that is hardly a volume product. 

Source: Automotive News