Car Prices Blogs


General Motors is Back as the World’s Top Automaker

January 23rd, 2012

General Motors CEO Daniel Ackerson has every reason to smile in the year of the Dragon. His company General Motors, after filing for bankruptcy three years ago, is now back as the world’s top automaker, surpassing the global sales of Toyota and Volkswagen and earning $8.1 billion in profits for 2011.

The GM News website made the announcement last January 19,2012. Chevrolet is largely attributed for pushing back General Motors to #1, with global sales reaching 4.76 million vehicles all over the globe.

However, the surge back to #1 is somewhat expected. Who can forget the ugly stigma of the Toyota recalls involving brake pedal and accelerator pedal problems? Japanese car maker Toyota, who has been in the #1 spot since 2008, claims to have sold around 7.9 million vehicles globally. The recent flooding in Thailand and the disastrous effects of the tsunami and earthquake incidents in Japan are all factors that prevented Toyota from selling more automobiles than GM.

The truth is, GM’s rise back to #1 is not merely by chance. For example, when the Chevrolet Cruze was launched in 2009, it was the compact car that shattered public perception on what a compact car should truly be. The Cruze is bigger and wider that your average compact, and it also had an attractive interior, making you feel like you are driving a more expensive car.

GM sold more than 670,000 units of the Chevrolet Cruze worldwide, with a total of 1.13 million sold since the launch in 2009. This alone is proof of the fact that consumers are growing tired of the familiar compact variety. Chevrolet has done its homework, and there are no signs of slowing down.

The Chevrolet Sonic is slated to follow in the success of the Cruze. There is a lot to love about the Chevrolet Sonic, and this goes beyond the $13,865 base price. The Sonic is light and nimble to drive, and also easy on the eyes. It too has a simple yet high tech interior, and is built to withstand the rigors of time.

More than 60% of Chevrolet sales are from outside the United States. This makes Chevrolet a true global brand. Asia and the rest of the world have warmed up to the Chevy bow tie brand. China, in particular, is the second largest market for Chevrolet cars next only to the United States.

What this does all mean to the car buyer? Will numbers bring justice to the truth? The answer is a big YES!

Chevrolet and GM have learned a lot from Toyota. Volkswagen is hot on the trail of the world’s #1 automaker for 2012. This is going to be an interesting battle.

Remember that quality competition is good for the business. As global car makers strive to become #1, car buyers reap the benefits in the long run.

How?

By taking ownership of the most brilliant, well made, well engineered, practical, and high performing new cars.