MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Toyota breaks Ford's 75 year lock as US No 2 automaker

Toyota sees 1-2 pct sales rise in U.S. in '08

Toyota Motor Corp. overtook Ford Motor Co. to become the No. 2 automaker by U.S. sales in 2007, using new products and relentless strategy to break Ford's 75-year lock on the position. General Motors remained the US sales leader with 3.82 million vehicles.

Toyota sold 2.62 million cars and trucks in 2007, which amounted to 48,226 more than Ford, according to sales figures released Thursday. Toyota's sales were up 3% for the year boosted by new products like the Toyota Tundra pickup. Ford's sales fell 12% to 2.572 million vehicles. But even when General Motors Corp. remained the U.S. sales leader it was down 6% from the previous year as customers turned away from some large sedans and sport utility vehicles. GM's car sales fell 8% for the year while truck sales were down 4%. Overall, the year was expected to be the worst for the auto industry since 1998 as consumers fretted over high gas prices, falling home prices and the economy. December also was a tough month for automakers despite a slew of holiday discounts. Toyota's sales slipped 2% for the month, while GM's sales were down 4% and Ford's fell 9%. Nissan Motor Co.'s December sales were down 2.4%, while Honda Motor Co.'s December sales were flat, with a 10% increase in car sales canceled out by a 10% decline in truck sales. Chrysler LLC also had a solid December, with sales up 1% for the month thanks to brisk sales of the new Dodge Caravan minivan, which saw a 51% jump. Chrysler sales were down 3% for the year as falling truck and SUV sales erased gains on the car side. Ford's car sales plummeted 24% for all of 2007 as some models like the Ford Mustang aged and a new Ford Taurus sedan was unable to match the volumes of the older version. Ford also cut rental-car sales by 32% over the year. Truck sales were down 5%. Ford corporate historian Bob Kreipke said it was the first time since 1931 that Ford wasn't second behind GM in U.S. sales.