Toyota has managed to keep its crown as the world’s biggest automaker in 2014, selling 10,23 million vehicles, approximately 90,000 more than the VW Group.
While an earlier report from automotive data researcher Focus2move said the German automaker had the edge over Toyota in 2014 sales, that only included passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. The official figures released by automakers also include trucks. It’s true, however, that Toyota’s lead over VW is very slim and the Germans may overtake the Japanese this year, especially since Toyota forecasts sales will slump 1 percent to 10.15 million in 2015.
Toyota’s 10.23 million vehicles sold in 2014 include deliveries from its Daihatsu minicar subsidiary and Hino truck manufacturer. 2014 sales rose 3 percent compared to 2013, with volume exceeding 10 million units for the first time. The VW Group also exceeded the 10 million unit mark for the first time, selling 10.14 million vehicles (up 4.2 percent), while General Motors ranked third in 2014 sales, with 9.92 million vehicles (up 2 percent).
While Toyota expects sales outside Japan to increase 2 percent to 8.06 million vehicles in 2015, that growth will be offset by a 9 percent tumble in domestic sales to 2.1 million units. The company expects Japan volume to fall 7 percent to 1.45 million for its Toyota and Lexus brands, with Daihatsu and Hino sales also expected to fall.
The negative prognosis is due to the Japanese government’s increase of the national consumption tax in 2014, which affects demand for expensive products such as cars. Another factor that is expected to affect Japan sales is cheap oil, which saps demand for hybrid vehicles.
Story references: AutoNews Europe
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