Toyota is Number One: But For How Long?
In 2020, Toyota bested long-running champ Volkswagen Automotive Group in total global sales.
The tally was close, but as Reuters and every other outlet is reporting, Toyota is the new leader in global automotive sales. Last year, between the parent company and subsidiaries like Lexus, Hino, and Daihatsu, Toyota moved a whopping 9.528 million units. In comparison, German giant Volkswagen Automotive Group shifted 9.305 million vehicles off the lot, which is a 15.2 percent drop from its 2019 totals. As you’d expect, the global pandemic is to blame. For the record, Toyota sales also took an 11.3 percent hit.
While it’s obviously good to be on top, the question now is whether Toyota can hang on to the spot. With the market rebounding in China, VAG will likely be back in a big way next year, and I think the excitement around its new electric offerings makes its future look rosy. Remember what a splash the new Beetle made? I think people are going to loose it over the all-electric van.
That said, given that 2020 felt like a rollercoaster ride through a dumpster fire and somehow also managed to be boring, I’m ready for anything in 2021 — including and up to alien invasion.
Now, it’s probably worth mentioning that title of “World’s Largest Automaker” doesn’t come with a prize belt, or any real tangible benefits. So depending on your perspective, it’s either priceless or worthless.
But given that the race toward a totally electric lineup — see the recent announcement from the General — seems to be accelerating every day, I have to wonder how poised Toyota is to make that shift. Personally, I love the idea of a fully-electric Land Cruiser, like the company has been experimenting with, but I’m beyond curious about why there’s still money being put into hydrogen tech. At this point, it really looks like hydrogen-powered cars are the new fetch, in that I don’t think they’ll ever “happen.”
The future is electric, and while I don’t see any short term danger for Toyota, I wonder if some foot-dragging in regard to broad electric vehicle offerings could come back to bite the company.
Of course, the success that Toyota has achieved over the years has been in creating affordable, reliable vehicles that people actually want to buy. So on that note, what are you looking for the company to deliver in the next few years? Are you ready for an electric version of the Tacoma or Tundra? Do you think the Land Cruiser should go with a hybrid set up? Or do you think that Toyota’s reticence to go all-in on electric vehicles is the right path? Hit me up and let me know!
Photos: Toyota
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