For the primary time in 9 many years, Basic Motors was not the top-selling automaker within the U.S. final yr.

As a substitute, Toyota — a Japanese automaker that did not promote its first automobile within the U.S. till 1958, when GM’s 90-year gross sales streak was already 27 years outdated — grabbed the gross sales crown by a margin of 114,034 in 2021, thanks principally to its potential to handle the worldwide microchip scarcity and COVID-19 disruptions.

In year-end figures launched Tuesday, Toyota Motor North America reported gross sales of two,332,262 gentle autos within the U.S. final yr, up 10 p.c from 2020. GM reported U.S. gross sales of two,218,228 in 2021, down 13 p.c from 2020.

Toyota first bested GM within the second quarter, and repeated the feat three months later because the chip disaster bit arduous into each automakers’ output. Nevertheless, Toyota’s international manufacturing footprint — it was anticipated to complete because the world’s largest automaker in 2021 for the second consecutive yr, once more besting German rival Volkswagen Group — and North American vegetation helped it to maintain forward of GM within the U.S.

“Toyota is grateful to our loyal prospects for placing their security and belief in Toyota and Lexus autos,” Jack Hollis, senior vp of automotive operations for Toyota Motor North America, mentioned in a press release. “Being primary is rarely a spotlight or precedence. The corporate’s focus has all the time been being the very best model when it comes to security, high quality and worth in prospects’ minds.

“And as a part of our steady enchancment philosophy, we’re all the time discovering higher methods of doing issues, and finally, make higher merchandise prospects love and belief.”

Toyota Motor North America, which continues to report gross sales on a month-to-month foundation, completed December down 30 p.c at 174,115 autos. The Toyota model was down 29 p.c in December to 150,072, whereas Lexus was down 37 p.c at 24,043 autos.

GM reviews its U.S. gross sales quarterly. Within the fourth quarter, its gross sales had been down 43 p.c to 440,745. Chevrolet gross sales declined 45 p.c to 288,647, GMC gross sales declined 38 p.c to 100,919, Buick gross sales declined 35 p.c to twenty-eight,789, and Cadillac gross sales declined 48 p.c to 22,385.

Hannah Lutz contributed to this report.