There's No Stopping, Toyota's Hot On Wheels

Auto analysts predict that there is no stopping Toyota in making it as the no.1 automaker around the globe. In fact, they added that next year could serve as a historical milieu for Toyota and dethrone General Motors.

Inflation of gasoline prices resulted to the shift of the auto market to gas-saving Toyotas. Auto parts for Toyota Camry are especially designed to be fuel-efficient. Also, Toyota Corolla car parts, which made up the best-selling vehicle from the automaker, are also designed to boost reliability and fuel efficiency.

Overthrowing Ford Motor Corp. from its post as the second largest automaker seems to be easy for the Japanese automaker. With swift yet sure moves Toyota landed in the second most-coveted post. To boost its potentials, Toyota will open assembly plants in Russia, Thailand and China. "Everything is going right for Toyota in every way possible," said Yasuaki Iwamoto, auto analyst for Okasan Securities in Tokyo. "Toyota has carved out a reputation for reliability and quality."

Toyota intends to sell 8.85 million vehicles worldwide this year. Earlier, it said that aims to sell 9.8 million vehicles in 2008. With regards General Motors Corporation, it sold a total of 9.17 million vehicles in 2005. It is the second-largest volume in company history. "We're focused on remaking GM into a more competitive, leaner company that can generate profits on a sustained basis," said spokesman Brian Akre. "We won't alter our North America turnaround plan or sacrifice our profitability for the sake of one superlative."

In a recent J.D. Power and Associates vehicle dependability study, Toyota won top honors in eight of 19 categories. Also, its Lexus luxury brand was the top-ranked nameplate for the 12th consecutive year now. Toyota is also renewing enthusiasts' interests by releasing a powerful Prius hybrid. The hybrid is equipped with cutting-edge Toyota parts for Prius that are known for its high-quality. Said hybrid went on sale in 1997.

According to some Toyota officials dethroning GM is not on their minds. "Our goal is to become No. 1 with the customer," said Toyota spokesman Paul Nolasco. "The increases we are experiencing in production and sales is simply a reflection of consumer demand." However, according to Bill Schwartz of TBM Consulting, a Durham, North Carolina-based company, "It (beating GM) is unavoidable it will happen soon, and it will very likely happen next year. Toyota's curves are all going in the right direction. And General Motors' are all going in the wrong direction."