Toyota Is Now the No. 2 Automaker

Motor, Mar 2004 by Nash, Tom

It's now official: Toyota has moved into second place among global auto manufacturers in terms of vehicles sold, trailing only General Motors.

Toyota reported sales of 6.78 million vehicles in 2003, up 9.9% from 6.17 million in 2002. Ford reported its 2003 sales slipped 3.6%, from 6.97 million to 6.72 million, giving Toyota a chance to squeeze past.

If Mazda's sales had been included in the totals, Ford would still lead by a wide margin. But, because Ford owns only a one-third interest in Ma/da, those figures cannot be included in Ford's totals. In 2003, Ma/da sold more than 1 million vehicles.