Toyota could overtake GM in June U.S. sales

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Kenneth Hall June 28th, 2008

By Kenneth Hall Author June 28th, 2008

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December 31st, 1969 Toyota has already overtaken General Motors in the global sales race, selling 8,808,000 vehicles worldwide in 2006 versus 8,679,860 for GM. Now the Japanese giant is on the verge of overtaking GM on its turf, with Toyota’s monthly U.S. sales for June expected to outpace GM’s levels for the first time ever. In May, Toyota sold just 9,340 vehicles less than GM and grabbed 18.4% of the U.S. market share compared to GM's 19.1%. As recently as 2005, GM controlled 26% of the U.S. market compared Toyota, which only commanded about 13% of the market. However, both carmakers saw significant drop in sales figures for May and both a struggling to meet rising demand for hybrid and compact cars, reports The Detroit News. Toyota, for example, has been unable to ramp up production of its Prius and Camry hybrids to meet demand. Prius sales fell 38% in May, and according to analysts Toyota could probably sell double the number of hybrids if there was adequate supply.

Toyota could overtake GM in June U.S. sales

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Toyota has already overtaken General Motors in the global sales race, selling 8,808,000 vehicles worldwide in 2006 versus 8,679,860 for GM. Now the Japanese giant is on the verge of overtaking GM on its turf, with Toyota’s monthly U.S. sales for June expected to outpace GM’s levels for the first time ever.

In May, Toyota sold just 9,340 vehicles less than GM and grabbed 18.4% of the U.S. market share compared to GM's 19.1%. As recently as 2005, GM controlled 26% of the U.S. market compared Toyota, which only commanded about 13% of the market. However, both carmakers saw significant drop in sales figures for May and both a struggling to meet rising demand for hybrid and compact cars, reports The Detroit News.

Toyota, for example, has been unable to ramp up production of its Prius and Camry hybrids to meet demand. Prius sales fell 38% in May, and according to analysts Toyota could probably sell double the number of hybrids if there was adequate supply.

Tags: Industry, General Motors