Toyota Motor Corp. overtook General Motors Co. to become the top car seller in the U.S. last year. The Japanese automaker dethroned the Detroit-based company, which has been the top car seller in the country since 1931.
Toyota said Tuesday that it sold a total of 2.332 million vehicles in the U.S. last year. The figure is slightly higher than the sales numbers reported by General Motors, which sold 2.218 million units over the same 12-month period.
General Motors has been the largest car seller in the U.S. since 1931 after it overtook Ford.
Compared to its sales numbers in 2020, GM's overall U.S. sales had dropped by 13%. Sales numbers dropped by the most, around 43%, during its fourth quarter. Meanwhile, Toyota's overall sales for 2021 grew by 10% year on year.
The dip in its overall sales last year was partly attributed to the shortage of chips due to the global supply chain disruptions. GM remained optimistic about its future prospects, stating that it expects to increase its light-duty vehicle sales as the country's economy recovers.
GM spokesperson Jim Cain said sales of its full-size SUVs and pickup trucks remained strong throughout last year. He added that sales should further improve as the chip supply improves. Cain said that Toyota shouldn't rest on its laurels, and GM will likely take back its position as the country's top car seller. GM CEO Mary Barra previously emphasized a shift in focus to profitability over volume by exiting less profitable markets.
Toyota didn't particularly boast about its accomplishment. Toyota's Senior Vice President Jack Hollis said he is "grateful" to all of its customers for helping it achieve its sales numbers. However, he added that becoming the country's top car seller has never been their focus or priority.
Hollis said they have no plans to fight to retain their number one position. He added that the company would not use the accomplishment in any kind of advertising.
According to Wards Intelligence, sales for the entire car industry in the U.S. ended 2021 at just under 15 million cars, with an annual sales pace of 12.44 million in December. The full-year total was far below the five-year average of 17.3 million from 2015-2019.
Analysts at IHS Markit estimate that sales in the U.S. are likely to reach approximately 15.5 million in 2022. Toyota forecasts industry sales climbing to 16.5 million this year, with demand much higher if the industry can expand output further, with its own sales reaching 2.4 million units.
