Who's Number One?

In our efforts to predict and explain the nightly news before you get home for dinner, we bring you this story: General Motors has lost its title as the largest global automaker for the first time since 1930; Toyota took its place for the first quarter of 2007. GM lost by roughly 100,000 vehicles — Toyota sold 2.35 million cars to GM’s 2.25 million. Should GM be worried? Maybe.

The one place GM is truly giving up ground is the U.S. Toyota’s U.S. sales in 2006 were up by more than 12%, reports the Detroit Free Press, and are still growing at a healthy clip. In addition, Toyota has gained in its share of cars sold in the U.S., leaving it just behind GM and Ford.

Globally, GM is surging in areas like Asia, Africa, South America and the Middle East. Its biggest target market, China, has already embraced Buick and other GM brands. Of course, Toyota has a strong presence there, as well. 

While the total numbers say one thing, the fact that GM has greatly reduced its fleet sales in the U.S. in order to increase its revenue and residual values is also important to its turnaround plans. We don’t doubt that GM could be No. 2 for a long time, but when the margin is so slim and both companies are improving, how important are bragging rights to consumers?

GM at No. 2: Not Such A Bad Thing (CNNMoney.com)

Comments

not oficially, the title isn't lost because it goes by years, and GM still has a great chance of hanging on to the title for the year, which would keep the record going.

Oddly Toyota gets a green image when the local dealers have been promoting "The Toyota Upgrade Sale" Camrys for the price of Corollas and Tundras for the price of Tacomas. (ie: put the customer in a bigger vehicle)

I wonder how much corporate "push" is behind this sale?

And will this "pull forward" 3rd and 4th quarter sales?

Quite frankly, I don’t think a lot of consumers care. As long as they’re giving us better products each and every year, that’s really all that matters.

The General has no clothes. Long live the new Samurai!

this is just a preview of whats to come. this is a global warfare

My new '05 Toyota Avalon was the worst quality vehicle I've had in over 20 years. I got rid of it after 10 months of continual problems, disinterested dealers and being stonewalled by Toyota Corporate.
I used to be a very loyal Toyota and Lexus customer, but now that Toyota have chosen quantity over quality, they can count me out as a customer. Even Hyundai beats them in Consumer Reports quality evaluations.

GM is, has been and will always be tops in my book. I've driven many brands and still have my 1963 Buick LeSabre. It's engine still purrs
It has dropped a couple of trannies, but the engine has never been touched. Most of GM's products are excellent. I don't think the Toyota can compete. Toyota has an excellent ad program, and Americans are easily influenced.

I do have other vehicles. Before I buy, I rent and make my own decisions. Yes, I've also driven the Toyota product. Bought Lincolns instead, after Buick went front wheel drive.

GM is a problem solver.

Al, what are you insinuating by saying "even Hyundai beats them?" Hyundai and Toyota are two top quality manufacturers that could easily hand GM and any other American car manufacturers their collective behinds in terms of quality.

I do believe that GM can hang on the title at least 2007.
Remember the summer sales?

#1 is great for bragging, but #1 is also a target. And not just for other automakers, but the Greens, the "buy American" set and the government.

Who cares who's number 1, that may have been something to care about 20 or 30+ years ago. But today, people demand quality. Make something that will last without too many headaches, and in turn, I'll give you my $$$

Thats why I give GM my $$$, I've never had any problems with any of my vehicles, but then again I purchase new and treat them like they should, where as people who refuse to drive a domestic typically had a used car that wasn't taken care of, and will buy a new import.

If you want quality you buy Toyota. If you want American you buy Toyota. If you want Chinese you buy GM as in the Equinox. GM's days are numbered and rightfully so. Toyota management is focused on building quality vehicles. GM management (like Bob Lutz) are focused on making promises (think Volt). Promises don't get me to work and that's why I gladly paid 4g more for a 4Runner than for a Trailblazer.

Good move Tom, 4runners are awesome!

And where exactly are more than fifty percent of all toyotas made? hrm...NOT AMERICA! it doesn't matter where it was built, it matters on what company you support, GM is America, Toyota is japanese. GM is making a huge comback if you havent been paying attention. Ok the equinox has a chinese engine, where are all the engines made in toyotas? thats right NOT HERE! real americans that enjoy RELIABLE cars (example: toyota recalled more cars than they sold last year)

At least finally the MSM will start talking about Toyota recalls. It is the dark side of being number one.

Don't bring up reliability if its really not reliable...

Anyone want to bring up rebates? HAHA tundra has 5K off in texas...HAHA not to mention dealership discounts!

I want nice fit and finish, who can give me that?
Chevy and Pontiac are off the list no questions asked.
Drove the Cobalt once, it just feels darn cheap.
Drove the Focus once, feels odd with the controls, why can't they just put the headlight switch on the steering column?
Drove the Civic once, does not feel cheap with the material, every switches at the right places.
Who should get my hard earn money?

Civic=rat fur interior and cheap plastics

I had the honor to be in the back seat of a 4runner once, such a beautiful car outside and such small interior. If I am going to spend a lot of money in a car, it has to be big inside, not outside.

Nameless,

Cobalt has even worse. The seats are not even what I call a seat, better for whoever has a 40" and/or above hips.

"Anyone want to bring up rebates? HAHA tundra has 5K off in texas...HAHA not to mention dealership discounts!"

That is because Texans are very loyal to Ford and GM and do not buy Toyota trucks.

Toyota made it to number one based on alot more opinions than of those who posted here. I would say majority rules as far as numbers goes. Who can argue the math of Toyota being number one? Haters and lovers alike that's who.

When you think of how much ground the foreign automakers have gained over the last decade, GM and Ford better be making some big changes. Now that Toyota has actually passed GM it may take years for GM to get it's customers back. Since the 1970's people have been sick of the American cars with crappy paint jobs, numerous recalls, cheesy interiors with crappy ill fitting carpeting, crummy dealer service and engines ridiculously difficult and complicated to repair. I've owned many vehicles over the years, currently I own a Dodge, a Chevy Camaro, a Ford Mustang and a Toyota Camry. The Camry has over 150,000 miles on it and is tighter, quieter and smoother than any car I've ever owned. Maintenance is surprisingly easy too.
I was only for American cars until I tried the Toyota. I think American cars will always be the best if GM and Ford keep trying hard to do things right and not worry so much if their "out of touch" executives are rich enough.

The GM vehicle that I've owned has been a continual source of odd problems since it was brand-new. I mean, the left-rear strut failed, for no reason, at 18,000 miles? The u-joint on the steering column's intermediate shaft came loose at 32,000? The 1-2 shift solenoid suddenly stops working? And on and on. The worst was when the Passlock system went arwy and left me stranded at Wal-Mart for hours. The dealership was clueless (didn't stop them from charging me $400 to accomplish nothing) and I had to spend two weeks disassembling, and then bench-testing the ignition switch to devise my own little bypass circuit for that PassLock sensor.

The car looks beautiful, and the engine's main components are all functioning flawlessly, but seriously - with all the random (and sometimes critical) stuff that keeps breaking, I don't trust this car and have my eye on a Toyota Corolla for my next purchase when this GM car is no longer worth repairing. How many people are there in the same boat as me? Based on this story, probably a whole lot.

If GM goes under, I'll be the first to spit on the grave.