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Toyota loses to GM in sales, still ahead on manufacturing

Toyota may have fallen short of General Motors (GM) in global vehicle sales last year, but it has beaten out its US rival in another important measure -- global vehicle production.

In the latest neck-and-neck numbers race between the world's top two automakers, Toyota Motor Corp said yesterday it had made a record 9,497,754 vehicles worldwide last year, up 5.3 percent from 2006.

That's about 213,000 more automobiles than the 9.284 million that GM made last year.

Toyota's earlier, less precise production estimate for last year was 9.51 million. Toyota spokesman Paul Nolasco in Tokyo said there was no special reason for the change from the estimate.

By sales, however, General Motors Corp just barely retained its crown over Toyota, selling 9,369,524 vehicles around the world, up 3 percent from the previous year, and about 3,000 vehicles more than Toyota.

Toyota on Friday updated its sales tally for last year to 9,366,418. In numbers released last week, Toyota said it sold 9.366 million vehicles last year globally, up 6 percent from 2006 -- allowing GM to keep its title of world's No. 1 automaker for the 77th year.

The two big manufacturers are vying for sales in the US, Europe and other established markets but also new markets, including India and China.

Toyota said production in Japan marked its sixth straight year of gains for a record last year. Exports and overseas production also surged, it said.

Toyota has been racking up growth recently, riding on its reputation for quality and good mileage. Soaring gas prices are making smaller cars -- Toyota's forte -- increasingly in demand.
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