Toyota outstripped General Motors in U.S. sales in 2021, despite GM leading every year since 1931.
Toyota is the first foreign or domestic carmaker to unseat GM for the No. 1 spot.
"Toyota is grateful to our loyal customers for putting their safety and trust in Toyota and Lexus vehicles," a Toyota spokesperson said in a statement to Car and Driver. "Being No. 1 is never a focus or priority. The company's focus has always been — and will continue to be — on being the best brand in terms of safety and quality in customers' minds."
Toyota sold more than 2.3 million vehicles in the U.S. in 2021, compared to GM’s 2.2 million. GM experienced a 13% sales drop in 2021, while Toyota saw a 10% overall increase.
"I wouldn't rush out if I were [Toyota] and get a 'We're No. 1' tattoo," a GM spokesperson Jim Cain told Reuters in response to the news.
Toyota had better access to semiconductor chips, despite the global shortage, which helped it produce and sell more vehicles relative to other automakers. It remains to be seen whether Toyota's sales success was a pandemic outlier for 2021.
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