Toyota loses sales crown to VW as Trump's trade barrier threat looms

Frankfurt

TOYOTA Motor Corp lost its crown as the world's best-selling carmaker to Volkswagen AG, ending the Japanese company's four-year reign, as it faces challenges that range from the threat of trade barriers in the US to slowing demand in China after a tax increase.

Worldwide sales for Toyota, including its Hino Motors Ltd and Daihatsu Motor Co units, rose 0.2 per cent to 10.175 million vehicles in 2016, the Japanese carmaker said on Monday. That fell short of Volkswagen's record 10.3 million cars, trucks and buses, a 3.8 per cent gain.