Toyota remains world's top carmaker in first half of 2014

TOKYO, July 30 (KUNA) -- Toyota Motor Corp. remained the world's top auto seller for the third consecutive year in the first half of 2014, it was learned on Wednesday.
Toyota's global sales, including those of affiliate Daihatsu Motor Co. and Hino Motors Ltd., rose 3.8 percent from a year earlier to 5.09 million vehicles in the January-June period, sales data released by Toyota showed.
Germany's Volkswagen AG sold 4.97 million units in the same period, up 5.9 percent, while General Motors Co. of the US sold 4.92 million units, up 1.4 percent, according to figures released earlier this month.
Toyota, which makes Lexus, Camry and hybrid Prius models, enjoyed strong sales in North America and China. The firm's sales in Japan were also robust, thanks to increased demand ahead of the sales tax hike in April.
Toyota sold 9.98 million vehicles in 2013, remaining the world's top carmaker for the second straight year, followed by rivals GM and Volkswagen.
Toyota was also the top-selling automaker from 2008-10, but GM retook the global sales crown in 2011 after Toyota's production was hurt by the quake-tsunami disaster that hit northeastern Japan. GM had maintained the sales crown for 76 years through 2007. (end) mk.ibi