Toyota Motor Corp. is the Winner!

For the first time in 77 years General Motors is not the world’s largest seller of cars and trucks.

Guess who is?

Toyota Motor Corp., that’s who. In 2008 Toyota sold 8.972 million vehicles, which is about 616,000 more than GM.

Toyota may have sold 10% fewer vehicles in 2008 than they have in each of the 10 years prior, but they still sold more than all other automakers. That’s gotta be worth something.

We think it’s a boon for the brand. As the leader in the market a stronger image follows for both Toyota and for the Tundra.

Despite being the leader, Toyota sales still dropped by 4 percent. With the economy the way it is right now all automakers are struggling to meet sales goals. To make matters worse for GM, their recent bailout influenced consumer confidence, and according to GM spokespeople the decline was mostly concentrated in areas of the United States and Europe where Toyota doesn’t have as large of a market.

It seems there are a number of reasons for GM’s decline and Toyota’s growth, but even before all of the events of the last few months Toyota was gaining ground. In 2007 Toyota sold only 3,000 fewer cars and trucks than GM.

The forecast for Tundra sales in 2009 is uncertain, but one thing does remain certain: Toyota is a leader in the industry and we’re proud to be owners.

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