Toyota has been recognised as being the world’s best-selling vehicle brand with sales totalling 9.75 million in 2012. This translates into one new vehicle sale every three seconds somewhere in the world in 2012. Total group sales, including Hino, Lexus and Daihatsu reached a record of 9748000 units which is and improvement of 22.6% compared to 2011 and surpasses Toyota’s previous sales record of 9367000 units sold in 2007.

Toyota production and market share on the rise

Toyota also experienced increases in production and market share in its major markets. Production increased for the first time in two years as a result of increases in virtually all regions.

Exports from Japan to North America, Latin America, Asia, Oceania, the Middle East and Africa, which was severely interrupted by the March 2011 tsunami, increased dramatically and added to the overall increase.

In South Africa, Toyota improved its market share to 19.4% after selling 121276 cars and trucks in 2012. Toyota was therefore crowned as the market leader for the 33rd consecutive year.

“In 2011 we launched our new global vision, which built on Toyota’s strengths of quality, durability and reliability and put our ultimate focus on customer satisfaction. I believe that our sales success in 2012 proves that we are on target, but in the spirit of kaizen (continuous improvement) we will work hard to improve it in 2013,” says Dr Johan van Zyl, President and CEO of Toyota South Africa Motors.

In 2013, Toyota aims to sell 9.91 million vehicles worldwide which is an expected improvement of 1.6% over 2012. Toyota believes that its exciting next-generation of products including the Toyota 86, the new Auris, the forthcoming RAV4 and the new Lexus IS will help achieve its goal in 2013.