Toyota Tops Ford as Asian Autos Win Record U.S. Share

[depakid]

Source: Bloomberg

Toyota Motor Corp., locked in a global sales race with General Motors Corp., overtook Ford Motor Co. in the U.S. in 2007 as Asia-based carmakers strengthened their hold on the world's largest auto market.

Honda Motor Co. and Hyundai Motor Co. increased U.S. sales in December, while Toyota and Nissan Motor Co.'s sales dropped, the companies said yesterday. Japanese and Korean automakers held 41.3 percent of the market, a 0.9-point gain from a year earlier, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. For the full year, they accounted for 41.7 percent of autos sold, up from 40.4 percent.

The Asian companies boosted their share as U.S. sales for the year fell to a nine-year low of 16.1 million new cars and light trucks amid slumping consumer confidence, high gasoline prices and a weak housing market. Toyota cut its 2008 U.S. sales-growth forecast after reporting a December decline.

``If you're seeing Toyota and Nissan both down and Honda only eking out a small gain, it tells you it's a tough market out there,'' said Jack Nerad, executive industry analyst for Irvine, California-based Kelley Blue Book. ``Consumers are sitting tight because of economic concerns.''

Read more: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=a88S0y2p8OEA&refer=home

[nebula]

1. No surprise

its all downhill for Ford.

[sarcasmo]

2. A decade of junk cars called the 90's and this is what the result you get.

[Xenotime]

3. Try 2 decades

The America auto industry is dying.

[Pavulon]

4. It is strained..

but we do make some great cars.

Any commercial truck if american. F series is a great vehicle.

The problem has been in small vehicle and sedan market. The Camry and Accord are so good there is no reason to buy another make.

[Toots]

5. What this calls for is more Hummers and Big SUVs..you know America sized...

Bigger is better in Bush* Amerika.....We're number one.....We're number one....

[jakefrep]

6. Damn shame....

because the new Fords are a lot nicer than anything Toyota makes at the moment.