Toyota sold more vehicles globally than any other manufacturer in 2013, shifting 9.98 million units over the calendar year. General Motors and the Volkswagen Group took second and third places respectively. This year Toyota predicts its sales will help it become the first company to break the 10 million mark.
General Motors reported sales of 9.71 million with Volkswagen giving a rounded figure of 9.7 million, but with more detailed results due on 13th March. Toyota's 2013 figure represents a two per cent rise on its 2012 result and shows that the company has recovered after the production setbacks of 2011 in the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan. That year GM regained the top spot, which it held for almost 80 years, until Toyota's sales overtook the Americans in 2008.
It should be noted that Toyota's figure includes sales for its Lexus, Scion, Daihatsu and Hino truck subsidiaries.
The sales growth is slightly behind forecasts the company made in 2007. Back then it was expected that sales would reach 10.4 million units by 2009, but the global financial crisis and changes in management priorities reduced the focus on chasing sales growth.
When Akio Toyoda - grandson of the company's founder - took over in 2009 he rejected volume targets, refocusing the company on product and manufacturing. Toyoda's belief is that as long as Toyota's cars are good enough sales volumes will automatically increase.
"Toyota has come close to nearly 10 million units a year," said Toyoda, "But at today's Toyota, we are not pursuing volume. Going on the offensive means making ever-better cars and changing the way in which we produce cars."
Anything else?
Volkswagen predicted its global sales would pass 10 million in 2018, but, like Toyota and GM, it is possible it will reach that goal four years early.