Toyota becomes world's top car seller in 1st half of 2014

TOKYO. KAZINFORM Toyota Motor Corp. said Wednesday its global auto sales reached a record 5.09 million vehicles in the first half of 2014, making it the world's best-selling automaker in the period for the third consecutive year.

The sales volume, including Daihatsu Motor Co. and Hino Motors Ltd. vehicles, rose 3.8 percent from a year earlier in the January to June period, supported by strong performances in North America and China as well as brisk demand in Japan before the consumption tax increase in April.

The figure eclipsed the previous record of 4.98 million vehicles set in the first half of 2012, and hit the 5 million unit level for the first time, Kyodo reports.