Volkswagen AG surpassed Toyota Motor Corp. to become the biggest automaker by deliveries in the first half, putting the company on track to capture the worldwide sales crown three years ahead of its target.
Toyota on Tuesday said it sold 5.02 million vehicles in the six months through June, trailing the 5.04 million that Volkswagen reported earlier this month.
Volkswagen benefited as car demand in Europe accelerated at the fastest pace in 5½ years, softening the blow from a slowdown in China, its biggest market. To achieve its goal set in 2007 to become the world's largest automaker, Volkswagen will have to withstand the slump in demand brought about by China's volatile stock market and competition from cheap SUV models by Chinese brands.
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