Volkswagen Steals Toyota's Crown as World's Largest Automaker

US News & World Report/Yahoo ^ | 11-12-09 | Sean Tucker

[kingattax]

The people want an empire, apparently, with that unassuming little black VW bug at the head of it.

The U.K.’s Guardian explains, "Volkswagen-Porsche has overtaken Toyota to become the world's largest car manufacturer as the German group benefits from state-backed stimulus packages around the globe." VW has "produced 4.4 million vehicles so far this year, outstripping its Japanese rival which has seen four million cars roll off production lines since January."

Ironically, VW reached the milestone in part by taking over Porsche – which it was forced to do after Porsche failed in an attempt to take over VW earlier this year.

[RightOnline]

Color me nuts here, but........didn't VW take over Porsche years ago??

[Reaganez]

Temporary. Germany just had a very large scale CARS type program.

Title of “Worlds Biggest Auto Manufacturer” will jump around beteen GM,Ford, Toyota and VW.

[Reaganez]

No

[iowamark]

The US and Britain defeated German and Japanese socialists in 1945. A generation later US and British socialists destroyed their car companies, allowing the free-er German and Japanese companies to dominate.

[truth_seeker]

“Farfegnugen”

[SIDENET]

I’d like to have a 2010 GTI.

[libh8er]

Yeah but at the end of the day they are still Volkswahgen’s and they will still break down.

[BigCinBigD]

I want an Eos.

[nutmeg]

Yeah but at the end of the day they are still Volkswahgen’s and they will still break down.

My husband and I have always owned Toyotas (with a Nissan and a Hyndai thrown in over the years). They're not exactly "sexy", but they sure are reliable and they never die. We currently have two Toyota Camrys and one VW Passat (1999). The Passat is a lot of fun to drive, but it's had more damn electical problems than any other car we've ever owned.

Next car will most certainly be a Toyota again. No more VWs...

[libh8er]

My cousin had a Passat he bought new in the late 90’s. After a few years he got so tired of it breaking down constantly, he sold it and bought a nice Acura SUV. And he’s happily driving that since.

[carolina71]

My college son has a Passat and it’s been great (going on 5 years).

I love driving it when I can steal it.

[Reaganez]

Google Toyota Sludge Runaway WOT.

[SoDak]

If we buy another car in the next couple of years, it’ll be a Volkswagen Diesel. I have a Jeep and a 73Ford F250 for huntin’ and haulin’, but I’d like that diesel mileage for trips. More than a couple of years, and we might look at the Ford Fiesta if it’s all it’s claimed to be. I don’t care at all for Japanese cars.

[RightOnline]

I remember being able to buy parts for my Porsche 914’s (I’ve had a couple of them) at VW dealerships; they even used to call those “Volkswagen Porsches”. Hence my confusion here....

[CapnJack]

I like my 2003 Jetta Turbo Diesel a lot.

I get between 48 and 53 mpg (winter/summer).

I have 211,000+ miles on it now and is still going strong.

One of the things about VW’s is that if it is maintained incorrectly it will always be a problem. I have found a good VW diesel machanic for regular maintenance and that is the best thing you can do for these cars.

Also, the rust corrosion on this VW Jetta is EXCELLENT, better than any other car/truck I have ever had.

[Fresh Wind]

they even used to call those “Volkswagen Porsches”

They were marketed as such in Europe.

[Fresh Wind]

I’d like to have a 2010 GTI.

Especially now that they have lost that ugly square grill.

[wolf78]

Temporary. Germany just had a very large scale CARS type program.

That is only of limited significance. VW not only has a market share of 20.5% in Western Europe, but also 18.5% in China, 26% in Brazil and is investing heavily in other developing markets (Russia). Volkswagen is building a factory in Tennessee right now and will build a mid-size sedan specifically for the US market.



Vee-Dub is here to stay.