Top billing goes to Toyota cars for having remained the world’s best selling autos for the third consecutive year.
Last year the brand, which includes Daihatsu and Hino Motors, sold 10.23 million vehicles which represented growth of 3% over 2013.
Part of the increase was put down to demand in the US for its sports utility vehicles (SUVs).
North America is the world’s largest purchaser of vehicles, followed by Asia. Western Europe is just a minnow compared to these two giants.
Toyota had stiff competition in its race to the top. Germany’s VW Group, which includes Audi, Bentley, Seat and Skoda, was in second place with sales of 10.14 million vehicles, a 4% increase.
Vauxhall and General Motors landed third with sales of 9.92 million, an increase of 2%.
But, for the first time in 15 years, Toyota is predicting that sales will fall this year to 10.15 million. It is expecting that sales to China will fall as the country’s economy slows down.
China Association of Automobile Manufacturers reported that sales in the country increased by 7% in 2014, but this was down from a rate of 14% the previous year.
Industry experts, however, believe that worldwide demand will grow for the next few years, fuelled by low interest rates and cheaper oil.
Scotiabank’s global auto report showed total 71.02m cars were sold in 2014 and it predicts 74.02 will be purchased this year.
