APD | Toyota ranks 2nd in 2019 global auto sales

By APD writer Alice

Japan’s Toyota Motor Corp Japan overtook the Nissan Motor Co., Renault SA, and Mitsubishi Motors Corp. alliance to rank second in the 2019 global auto sales thanks to robust demand in North America.

Toyota sold a record of 10.74 million units globally in 2019, up 1.4 percent from the previous year, to finish behind only Volkswagen AG of Germany.

The Japanese automaker saw steady sales of Corolla sedan and RAV4 sport-utility vehicles, while its Lexus-brand cars became popular in Europe and Asian countries including China.

Volkswagen took the lead for the fourth consecutive year with a record-high 10.97 million units sold, up 1.3 percent year on year due partly to solid sales in Europe and South America.

Meanwhile, the Nissan, Renault, and Mitsubishi alliance sold 10.16 million units last year, down 5.6 percent due to sluggish sales in the US market following the arrest of the group's former boss Carlos Ghosn in November 2018.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)