Toyota Gaining Ground on World #1 GM

Washington DC January 18, 2007; The AIADA newsletter reported that General Motor Corporation announced Wednesday its sales dropped slightly in 2006 to 9.09 million cars and trucks, a 0.9 reduction from its 2005 sales.

That number should still be high enough for the Detroit automaker to maintain its status as the world's largest seller over the rapidly expanding Toyota. According to the Detroit News, Toyota estimates that it sold 8.8 million vehicles last year, but will not release its final sales numbers until late January. Industry experts expect a tight race between the two auto giants for the number one position in 2007.

Some anticipate Toyota's momentum will carry it to the top sales spot by this time next year. Toyota says it plans to produce 9.42 million vehicles in 2007. GM CEO Rick Wagoner has stated that his company has the capacity to outpace Toyota's production.

"Let's just say it's going to be a good old-fashioned horse race for 2007," said Erich Merkle, director of forecasting for the auto consulting company IRN Inc. in Grand Rapids.