As predicted by analysts, Toyota is fast gaining more ground against the world’s top automaker General Motors. In 2006, Toyota Motors Corporation sold an estimated 8.8 million vehicles, although it still has to release its final sales number by the end of January. This figure is still short of General Motors Corporation’s 9.09 million vehicles sold last year, which is a .9% reduction from the Detroit-based automaker’s 2005 sales.

Industry insiders are looking forward to a very tight race between the two automakers for the top spot this year. Toyota has announced that it plans to produce 9.42 million vehicles this year. Meanwhile, GM CEO Rick Wagoner will not take it sitting down and has stated that his company has the ability to outpace the Japanese giant’s production.

With new models line up on both automaker’s plans, it’s going to be an exciting year and we’ll have to wait for next year’s sales reports to see if Toyota has finally claimed the top spot or if it will still play second fiddle to GM’s worldwide might.

By Dex