GM retains world No.2 status
2013-01-16 11:54
CHASING NO.1 STATUS: General Motors is gaining on Toyota for the world No.1 automaker status. Above shows the US Car of the Year winner - the Cadillac ATS.
Author: Frank Fuhrig
DETROIT, Michigan - General Motors' global sales were up 3% through
2012, the company announced at the 2013 North American International
Auto Show.
GM's sales reached 9.3-million in 2012 ensuring the US automaker retains its second place global status behind Toyota.
Toyota's sales worldwide are estimated at 9.7-million, though the company has yet to issue its 2012 figures.
VW GAINING ON GM
Volkswagen saw a sales increase of 11.2% in 2012 to 9.07-million vehicles, up from 8.16-million in 2011. The sales record for VW makes the group third a close third for global sales.
VW believes it will take the global sales lead by 2018 and opened its 100th factory, in Mexico, on January 15 2013.
Martin Winterkorn, VW's managing chairman, said the group performed "extremely well in difficult conditions" in 2012.
VW officials refused to offer projections for 2013 sales but warned of difficult conditions, particularly in Europe.
VW subsidiary Porsche reported its global sales were up by 18.7% over 2011 to 141 000 models. Porsche reports that 2012 was "the most successful year in our history".
Fellow VW brand Audi announced 2012 sales up 11.7% to 1.46-million.
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