Toyota reported today that it sold a total of 3.56 million vehicles worldwide in the first half of 2009 – helping it keep its No.1 position for global auto sales for the first six months. General Motors Company outpaced Toyota in the second-quarter.

In the second quarter that ran from April-June, GM reported sales of 1.94 million vehicles due to strong sales in China. Toyota, on the other hand, reported 1.80 million.

Toyota’s first half sales fell 25 percent when compared to the previous year, marking the companies first-half sales decline since 1999. GM lost its more than seven-decade world reign to Toyota in 2008.

Volkswagen came in at No.3 with a total of 3.1 million vehicles in the first half.

- By: Stephen Calogera

Source: AutoObserver