Toyota said Thursday it sold 9.366 million vehicles last year globally, about 3,000 fewer than General Motors' tally, allowing the U.S. automaker to retain its crown as the world's No. 1 automaker.

All year long, the two automakers raced neck and neck in global sales, highlighting Toyota Motor Corp.'s phenomenal growth and the struggles facing GM and other U.S. automakers.

Toyota had said as late as Wednesday that its annual total was 9.37 million vehicles, up 6 percent from 2006. GM said Wednesday in Detroit its global sales had risen 3 percent to 9,369,524 vehicles, making for a race that appeared too close to call.