Toyota tops GM in 1Q global sales

For the first time ever, Toyota sold more vehicles globally in a quarter than General Motors, preliminary January-March figures show, the clearest sign yet that the Japanese company is on track to overtake its U.S. rival as the world's top automaker. Toyota's success is fueled by robust demand for its reliable, fuel-efficient models, including the Camry, Corolla, Yaris and gas-electric hybrid Prius. It also comes at a time when General Motors Corp., which lost $2 billion last year, has been forced to scale back production and cut costs in a bid to revive its sliding fortunes, even as it leads in China's booming market.

Final bragging rights as the world's top automaker - a title GM has held for 76 years - won't be decided until global vehicle production numbers get tallied for the full year. But Toyota is getting closer. Toyota sold 2.35 million vehicles worldwide in the first quarter, surpassing the 2.26 million vehicles GM sold in the period.

Analysts say Toyota is building on its lead by investing in ecological technology, opening plants around the world, developing new models and wooing drivers with solid marketing that drives home its brand power. Those are precisely areas in which GM has fallen behind Toyota, analysts say. GM will be hard pressed to play catch-up, making it more likely that Toyota will outstrip GM for the full year.

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