Toyota remains the top-selling automaker for the fourth year

Toyota Motor Corp. remained the best-selling automaker in the world for the fourth consecutive year and the only company shipped more than 10 million vehicles as Volkswagen AG fell amid scandal emissions.

Global sales of Toyota, including its Hino Motors Ltd. and Daihatsu Motor Co. divisions, fell 0.8% to 10.15 million vehicles last year, it said in a statement. Volkswagen-earlier this month reported a two percent drop to 9.9 million, while shipments of General Motors Co. They rose 0.2 percent to 9.8 million.

"Hegemony of Toyota is unlikely to be challenged in the next few years after the big failure of VW," said Zhou Dzhincheng, an analyst at research Fourin Inc. "The difference is likely to become wider as VW will need some time to adjust their strategies for markets like the US and Europe."

Toyota is headed for its fifth straight victory as considering a move that could improve its position in emerging markets. The automaker will probably buy the rest of 51% of its Daihatsu unit, which will lead to full control over the leading manufacturer of mini vehicles in Japan and compact cars in Indonesia and Malaysia.

E.Dimitrov JrTrader