Toyota may have fallen short of General Motors in global vehicle sales last year, but it beat its U.S. rival in another measure — global vehicle production.
In the latest neck-and-neck numbers race between the world's top two automakers, Toyota Motor Corp. said Monday it made a record 9.497 million vehicles worldwide in 2007, up 5.3 percent from the previous year.
That's about 213,000 more automobiles than the 9.284 million that GM made last year.
Honda and other major Japanese automakers also reported strong annual output gains. Only Mazda said its production dropped.
Toyota's earlier, less precise production estimate for 2007 was 9.51 million. Toyota spokesman Paul Nolasco in Tokyo said there was no special reason for the change from the estimate.
By sales, however, General Motors Corp. just barely retained its crown over Toyota, selling 9,369,524 vehicles around the world, up 3 percent from the previous year, and about 3,000 vehicles more than Toyota.
Toyota on Friday updated its sales tally for last year with an additional three digits at 9,366,418. In numbers released last week, Toyota said it sold 9.366 million vehicles last year globally, up 6 percent from 2006 — allowing GM to keep its title of the No. 1 automaker for the 77th year.
The two big manufacturers are vying for sales in the U.S., Europe and other established markets but also new markets, including India and China.
Toyota said production in Japan marked its sixth straight year of gains for a record in 2007. Exports and overseas production also surged, it said.
Honda Motor Co. said its global production grew 7.7 percent to a record 3.91 million vehicles last year, the 11th straight year of growth. Declines in Japan production were more than offset by growth in North America, Europe and China. Nissan Motor Co. chalked up a 6.2 percent jump in global production to 3.43 million vehicles last year.
