Toyota fends off VW to stay global No. 1

January 21, 2015 at 10:55 a.m. | Updated January 21, 2015 at 12:58 p.m.

by Mike Pare

FILE - In this Wednesday, May 8, 2013 file photo, a Toyota Motor Corp.,'s model is on display at the automaker's Tokyo head office in Tokyo. Toyota kept its lead over rivals against rivals Volkswagen and General Motors as the world's top-selling automaker in the first three quarters of the year. The Japanese automaker said Monday that it had sold 7.615 million vehicles around the world, up nearly 3 percent from the previous year. (AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye, File)
FILE - In this Wednesday, May 8, 2013 file photo, a Toyota Motor Corp.,'s model is on display at the automaker's Tokyo head office in Tokyo. Toyota kept its lead over rivals against rivals Volkswagen and General Motors as the world's top-selling automaker in the first three quarters of the year. The Japanese automaker said Monday that it had sold 7.615 million vehicles around the world, up nearly 3 percent from the previous year. (AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye, File)

Toyota fended off Volkswagen to stay the globe's No. 1-selling carmaker with help from record U.S. sales of sport utility vehicles - a segment in which VW aims to improve with help from its Chattanooga plant.

Toyota sold 10.23 million vehicles in 2014, up 3 percent, according to the company. VW last week reported sales of 10.14 million vehicles, the first time it ever topped the 10 million mark. General Motors was third at 9.92 million

Toyota posted high demand for SUVs in the U.S., according to the Japanese automaker.

VW officials said last week that in addition to a new midsize SUV they plan to assemble in Chattanooga, the company is looking at a smaller version. That, too, could be produced in Chattanooga.

Also, a three-row Tiguan compact SUV will be made in North America, the company said.

Additionally, Toyota forecast that sales may slip 1 percent in 2015, potentially opening the door for VW to move into the top spot.

Upcoming Events