| Currently the third largest automaker in the world, the | | | | Bugatti, demonstrating just how far-reaching the |
| Volkswagen Group should surpass General Motors | | | | company is. |
| later this year, thanks to GM's rapid decline. VW has | | | | Contributing to GM's decline is a sharp downturn in US |
| been losing business itself, but only at half the rate of | | | | sales, its primary market. VW has a small slice of the |
| GM. The global automotive industry has been going | | | | US market, but relies on its European base to drive |
| through one of its worse downturns over the past half | | | | sales. The company is also making inroads in the |
| century, one where perennial leader General Motors | | | | Americas, Asia and Africa, among the fastest growing |
| has lost its 77 year old lead as the top selling producer | | | | markets in the world. In addition, the automaker is |
| of cars in the world. In early 2008 it was confirmed | | | | planning to build a new plant in Tennessee, its first |
| that the Toyota Motor Company had moved past GM | | | | American manufacturing plant in twenty years. |
| as the world's largest automaker in terms of sales, an | | | | GM will likely see its share of the market decrease |
| effort that came several years earlier than expected. | | | | when its expected sale of Saab is finalized later this |
| General Motors' position as the number two | | | | year. The automaker is also attempting to sell or shut |
| automaker may be short-lived as German automaker, | | | | down Hummer and is cutting back on Saturn and |
| Volkswagen, is poised to leapfrog GM. Though VW is | | | | Pontiac. Going forward, GM's US brands will probably |
| seeing its own sales decline, its rate of loss is about | | | | include Cadillac, GMC, Buick and Chevrolet while Opel, |
| half that of GM, meaning Volkswagen could push | | | | Vauxhall, GM Daewoo and Holden will comprise some |
| ahead by the end of 2009. | | | | of its European, Asian and Australian brands. |
| The Volkswagen Group consists of several brands | | | | VW's ascendancy to the second spot isn't assured, |
| including mass producers Volkswagen and Skoda, | | | | but with the way that GM is contracting and with its |
| premium brand Audi and Bentley, a line of ultra-luxury | | | | own growth plans in place, its move up the charts will |
| cars. The automotive also owns Scania, SEAT and | | | | happen sooner or later. |