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View Full Version : Toyota poised to become top car seller in U.S.



John Lindsey
1st September 2003, 16:14
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/business/6656322.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp

DETROIT - To understand the ongoing assault by foreign automakers in the United States, look no further than the traditional car market.

If sales trends don't change dramatically, Toyota will sell more cars in the United States this year than each of the two brands that have dominated for a century: Chevrolet and Ford.

It would mark the first time a foreign automaker has held that mantle and illustrates the growing impact of Toyota Motor Corp., Honda Motor Co., Nissan Motor Co. and Hyundai Motor Co., all of which continue to expand their domestic lineups and manufacturing capacity.

"What you're seeing from Toyota is an expansion into new segments, both on the production and sales side, and a further entrenchment of their strong sales position in current vehicles like the Camry and Corolla," said Michael Robinet, vice president of global forecasting for CSM Worldwide, which provides market information and forecasts to more than 350 automotive suppliers.

On the passenger car side, Toyota, excluding its Lexus luxury brand, sold 520,991 cars in the United States through July, about 20,000 more than Ford and nearly 47,000 more than Chevy, General Motors Corp.'s top-selling brand.

Ford has been the top car seller in the United States for nearly a decade, although Toyota's Camry was the best-selling model last year.