Volkswagen Becomes World’s Largest Automaker – German Car Company Surpasses Japanese Toyota

Volkswagen became the largest automaker in the world, surpassing Toyota. The sales numbers indicate a marginal, but convincing lead for the German car maker over its Japanese competitor.

Fulfilling a long cherished and chased goal, Volkswagen bagged the coveted title of world’s largest automaker by selling 5.04 million vehicles in the first half of this year. In comparison, Toyota sold 5.02 million vehicles. The gap is quite narrow and the end of this year may very well indicate some different results, but for now, the German company can rejoice.

For all practical purposes, bagging the title of world’s largest automaker is mere marketing fodder, useful only for bragging, nonetheless, it surely indicates how the world economy is responding to global strategies deployed by leading automakers, said Tom Libby, an IHS Automotive analyst.

“It’s certainly bragging rights, and being able to communicate that they’re the largest automaker in the world is a powerful statement. It’s certainly something they’re going to promote.”

For example, despite its best efforts, General Motors (GM) seems to be stuck in the number three spot for a considerable amount of time, reported MSN. While GM is yet to release its official sales figures, experts don’t expect it to race ahead of its current competition.

It has been a dream of Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn to propel the company to the number one spot by 2018. Though the German car maker has accomplished the goal quite a while earlier than anticipated, its performance during the rest of the year will determine if it can truly claim the title of world’s largest automaker.

The title is widely considered to be symbolic and even Volkswagen stresses it is focusing on other important aspects, shared Volkswagen spokeswoman Jeannine Ginivan,

“We do not comment on the figures of other automakers. The goal of the Volkswagen Group is to focus on qualitative growth and not being No. 1 in sales.”

While many may consider Volkswagen becoming the world’s largest automaker a blow to Toyota, it isn’t the case. As per the latest financial data, the Japanese company appears quite profitable and still retains a very large and dedicated market share, reported USA Today. Additionally, the difference is quite marginal, which Toyota might easily cover in the remaining months of 2015.

Nonetheless, it is commendable for Volkswagen to become the largest automaker against the tragic backdrop of accidental death of a worker in one of its factories.

[Image Credit | John MacDougall / Getty Images]