General Motors is facing an uncomfortable reality: Toyota has a shot at taking the U.S. sales crown once again thanks to growing demand for its gasoline-electric hybrids.
The Japanese automaker is expected to increase its market share to 15.8% in the first half of this year, while GM’s share may tumble by almost 1 percentage point to 16.8%, according to a forecast from researcher Cox Automotive. If consumers continue to flock toward fuel sippers, Toyota has a shot becoming the No. 1 auto seller in the U.S. this year.
“Toyota has a chance,” said Charlie Chesbrough, senior economist for Cox. “We’re not predicting it yet, but it’s possible. Consumers are interested in hybrids, and GM can’t compete.”
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