Toyota inches past GM in global vehicle sales

Japan's Toyota Motor Corp. took a step closer to unseating General Motors Corp. as the world's biggest automaker, outselling its US rival by around 90,000 units in the first quarter.

Both auto giants reported record sales for January-March, but Japan's top carmaker inched past Detroit-based GM as it ate into the struggling icon's market share on its home turf.

Toyota, maker of the Camry sedan - the United States' most popular car - said yesterday its global vehicle sales rose nine per cent in the quarter to 2.35 million units.

That compared with 2.26 million units, up three per cent, for GM, which sells cars and trucks under a dozen brands including Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac, Opel and Saab.

GM said last week that it put its global market share at an estimated 13 per cent, down a tenth of a percentage point from a year ago.

Toyota's tally includes cars sold under the Lexus luxury brand and the youth-oriented Scion brand, as well as vehicles from Japanese unit Daihatsu Motor Co. and truck maker Hino Motors Ltd.

Many industry watchers expect Toyota to challenge the 99-year-old GM this year for the top spot in global sales, a position the US automaker has held for 76 years.

Toyota dwarfs its rivals in almost every other measure including profits, market capitalisation and cash reserves.