Toyota, Not Aiming For Number 1

Online, February 8, 2012 (Newswire.com) - Japanese gigantic car manufacturer, Toyota, on Thursday, facing downgrading from the top spot in the world of car manufacturers' league after US based firm General Motors said, it has sold 9.3 million vehicles in the year 2011.

Since 2008, Toyota has been the biggest car manufacturer. The General Motors collapsed and the global financial crisis forced the company to request the US government for its rescue.

General Motors went on to file for insolvency in the year of 2009, but has recovered since, returning to the stock market in November and selling 9.3 million vehicles globally in 2001, up by 7.6 percent from the previous year selling results.

Due to the recent earth quakes and tsunami in Japan and floods in Thailand, Toyota's overall production has suffered badly, resulting to a decrease of six percent (6%) in its overall worldwide group sales at 7.9 million vehicles. It is just moved to the 3rd position behind the German car manufacturing company Volkswagen, which has sold 8.5 million vehicles during the year, up by fourteen percent (14%) compared to the previous year's sales figures.

"Sales are important", said Toyota's spokeswomen Amiko Tomita, following the General Motor's announcement. She further added, "Our number one priority is to make cars people love, and not to be the first in the world."

"As a result, if we are first, it's a good thing, but our number one priority is to make good cars. We don't chase numbers," she said to AFP.

Toyota is well known for its reliability and comfort. They had to recall millions of vehicles in the recent years over a series of technical issues, including defective braking systems, etc.
However, Toyota is hoping for a copious 2012 at home as well as abroad, setting determined sales and production targets including a rise of more than a fifth in Toyota and Lexus brand sales.

In a twist, Volkswagen is looking to become the biggest automaker by the year 2018.