Toyota Overtaken GM as Global Sales Leader

No Room for Chicken Little

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Contrary to some of the doom and gloom reports that were hard to miss, last week's revelation that Toyota had finally overtaken GM as the global sales leader was in fact wonderful news. When we started to project Toyota's growth over GM's decline back in 2004, we put an unfair weight on GM's shoulders. While everybody likes the claim of being "#1", there is also a strange reaction in the American psyche that immediately exposes that winner to severe scrutiny and skepticism

Toyota knows this not-so-subtle fact, and has done an admirable job of keeping the enormity of this moment cooled off. No public patting on the back going on there, but you know there have been more than a few celebratory Asahis lifted in Toyota City. And they deserve it for a job well done.

But much more importantly, this passing of the torch will allow GM to continue on its course to becoming a high-demand and profitable #2. Good for the U.S. industry and economy, but most importantly, good for the U.S. vehicle buyer.

No doubt the sheer number of choices available to buyers in today's market is daunting. We at IntelliChoice are keenly aware and endeavor on a daily basis to keep them all straight and easy to study and understand. Having many successful companies creating attractive vehicles for many different segments is a very good thing. When the market is left to decide, the winner is the consumer.

Posted on 2007-05-01 | Permalink | |

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