General Motors Over Takes Toyota As Largest Automaker In First Half Of year

General Motors Co. outsold Toyota Motor Corp. globally in the first six months to become the world's largest automaker after the record March earthquake disrupted production in Japan.

GM sales rose 8.9 percent to 4.536 million units in the half-year ended June 30, the automaker reported Thursday.

That compares with 4.13 million units at second-ranked Volkswagen AG and 3.71 million units for Toyota, including its luxury Lexus brand and affiliates Daihatsu Motor Co. and Hino Motors Ltd., according to statements by the companies.