Will Toyota Dethrone GM?

By: Mark Clarkson

Toyota Motor Corp. has dethroned Ford Motor Co. as the second
largest automaker around the globe. Now that it is already in
the top two positions, critics are saying that Toyota is eyeing
the top position and is planning ways to overthrow General
Motors Corp. In addition to this, the company has announced its
ambitious plan to produce 9.2 million vehicles worldwide in the
year 2008.

The soaring oil prices have been a blessing in disguise for the
corporation since more drivers turn to fuel-efficient cars. This
has made Toyota Camry, Corolla and Prius hybrid a success.
Further, due to high demands of said vehicles, Toy
ota Prius parts as well as that of Camry and Corolla, also
make good in the market. GM and Ford, on the other hand, have
relied on their sales for larger vehicles. Furthermore, the
shift of consumers to small cars made a devastating drop in
sales figures.

In the year 2005, Toyota has sold 8.13 million vehicles
worldwide. This year it is expected to sell a total of 8.85
million vehicles. According to Shotaro Noguchi, auto analyst
with Mitsubishi UFJ Securities Co. in Tokyo, "American
automakers are in trouble because their products aren't
selling." He added that the main challenge is to keep
profitability up. "It's a positive and aggressive plan," he said.

Katsuaki Watanabe, Toyota's president, declined to give any
statement on the vehicle production for 2008. However, the
president noted, ""We are aiming for steady growth through
strengthening all our operations."

With these growing sales figures in favor of Toyota, GM through
its spokesperson John McDonald said, "We respect our competition
around the world, and were realistic about our challenges and
opportunities. We know we have to earn the right to maintain our
global sales leadership, and were doing that day after day."

Toyota's profit has increased by 39 percent amounting to $3.1
billion in its first fiscal year. On the contrary, GM has lost
$3.4 billion in the April-June period.

About the author:
Toyota Parts Online

Toy
ota Prius parts

Mark Clarkson is a 35 year old marketing consultant for a
leading auto parts store. This native of Denver is also an
offroad enthusiast.