Five months into the year, the ranking of world’s largest automakers remains unchanged. However, one look at the leaderboard reveals an interesting situation: Toyota Group, the undisputed and perennial leader, is looking a bit out of breath, while 2nd-placed Volkswagen Group is up strongly. Hyundai Group, 3rd on the podium, continues its steady growth.
Toyota’s May group sales were up 10.7 percent when compared to May of the previous year. Toyota’s truck arm, reeling from the emissions scandal, was down 15.9 percent in May. Toyota’s minivehicle brand Daihatsu saw itself at the center of various safety test scandals, but could nonetheless increase its Mayl sales to the tune of 28.3 percent. Strangely enough, scandals often do not influence sales a lot.
