Toyota will become the largest automobile manufacturer in 2012

This year was not very successful for Toyota that had to face a boycott of its products in China and has received a number of fines in the US because of misuse of service recall.

2012 could become the best year right now at the end, when the Japanese are preparing to count cars sold worldwide - according to preliminary estimates, the Japanese manufacturer is about to regain its leading position among the largest global car manufacturers.

The Japanese said they would sell about 9.7 million cars this year, 22% more than last year, when they were affected by earthquake and tsunami.

According to the manufacturer, the return is due to the good development of the Japanese market and customers won by Lexus and Camry in the United States. The production also increased in 2012, reaching a figure of 9.9 million units.

General Motors has not performed that good in the last quarter of the year, although for nine months it was the top global manufacturer. According to CNN, GM expects to sell only 9.3 million cars this year, which lands them on the second step of the podium.

The main threat is the Volkswagen group - it is estimated that the German concern will end the year with total sales of 9 million vehicles which is very close to GM.