Toyota takes world sales lead from GM

[jwight]

Well, we knew it was coming:

Japanese automaker sold 2.41 million vehicles in first quarter

DETROIT - Toyota took the global sales lead from General Motors in the first quarter, capitalizing on growth in China and Europe as GM saw its North American sales drag down gains in other markets.

Toyota Motor Corp. said Wednesday it sold 2.41 million vehicles in the January-March period, compared with General Motors Corp.’s 2.25 million, prompting one industry analyst to predict that 2008 would be the year Toyota unseats GM in global sales.

Toyota reported steady demand in Asia and strong demand in Europe, while GM said it had record sales in its regions outside of North America.

Full story at:http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24273631/

[xcrew229x]

Anybody know if GM, Ford, or Chrysler sell really small cars elsewhere in the world, that for whatever reason don't make it here?

[JPaul]

Originally Posted by xcrew229x

Anybody know if GM, Ford, or Chrysler sell really small cars elsewhere in the world, that for whatever reason don't make it here?

I.e. Opel Agila (Germany's GM):
http://www.opel.ch/medialib/prospekt...a_MY085_fr.pdf

Sorry if you don't read French, Switzerland being tri-lingual you may get a copy in German or Italian too...

The major reason those mini cars are not imported in the US is the same that prevented smart bringing its fortwo stateside for years: too difficult/costly to homologate. The current 451 is the result of such required changes.

[curtis]

I saw a couple cool Fords over in Asia