Volkswagen Steals Toyota's Crown as World's Largest Automaker

[Executioner]

http://autos.yahoo.com/articles/autos_c ... automaker/

The people want an empire, apparently, with that unassuming little black VW bug at the head of it.

The U.K.’s Guardian explains, "Volkswagen-Porsche has overtaken Toyota to become the world's largest car manufacturer as the German group benefits from state-backed stimulus packages around the globe." VW has "produced 4.4 million vehicles so far this year, outstripping its Japanese rival which has seen four million cars roll off production lines since January."

More from U.S. News & World Report

Ironically, VW reached the milestone in part by taking over Porsche – which it was forced to do after Porsche failed in an attempt to take over VW earlier this year.

"Of course," Autoblog notes, there is "some number play involved" in the Guardian’s numbers. "We're talking about the combined entity VW-Porsche, which has built 4.4 million cars to date, which is roughly 400,000 beyond Toyota's mark. However, Toyota halved its production earlier this year and shut down all its plants in February." VW also "benefited much more than Toyota from the European cash-for-clunkers programs," though Toyota saw more sales than VW spurred by the U.S. version of the car-swap program.

The news doesn’t just push Toyota down a notch. Jalopnik notes that VW has "passed Toyota and GM at the top of the heap." America’s largest automaker – the world’s largest just three years ago – now sits in third globally.

The change may not be permanent. The Guardian notes that Toyota "has the capacity to make 10 million vehicles a year but it expects to make seven million vehicles in 2009" as production picks back up. VW, however, may see its production increase long-term enough to stay ahead, or at least to take the title again even if it loses it later this year.

After all, Autoblog notes, "VW's also got the edge on Toyota" in the huge Chinese market, "where it has spent years introducing models."

[vwkess]

Good Lord, who would ever buy a VW?

I am actually quite interested to see how this will all play out over the next couple of years, especially with GM.

[normalicy]

Actually, VW currently makes the most efficient vehicles on the planet. Their diesels are getting a real 50mpg unlike the other brands who dream of 40mpg.

[vwkess]

I should have put a smiley in...note my username

[Pugsley]

Actually, VW currently makes the most efficient vehicles on the planet. Their diesels are getting a real 50mpg unlike the other brands who dream of 40mpg.

What he said. I have an 03 NewBeetle Diesel and I can get 50mpg with out trying. worst i have gotten so far is 39 beating the hell out of it.

[normalicy]

I should have put a smiley in...note my username

Doh, I didn't put 2 & 2 together. Just thought it was one of those jumble of letters user names.

[vwkess]

Yes, well before the database crash scrambled the avatars it was a VW logo so you would not have missed it then.

I haven't been able to fix it yet, just get an upload error when I try to replace. Just as well I suppose as VW would probably send me a cease and desist letter with how vigorously they defend their trademark (only half kidding there!).

Love the diesels, the modern ones are true marvels, including the MB bluetecs. Had a whole lotta vdub diesels in the past. Even my old '80 Rabbit diesel would get 48mpg. Of course the comfort, safety and power is a fry cry of what these new cars are.

And Pugsley, never in a million years would I have guessed you would buy a vdub! Any interesting body mods like hood scoops or push bars?

[Pugsley]

Just some headlights, all LED lighting and a Panzer skid plate. I paid too much for this car to start doing crazy stuff like that to it. it's kinda nice to have a car that doesn't stick out in a crowd. I do miss being able to set off 3 levels of car alarms in a parking garage.