Toyota regained its position because the world’s largest automaker in 2012. While the Japanese automaker took the title from GM in 2008, Toyota only held onto the crown for 3 years. After a one-year hiatus using natural disasters affecting production, and public-relations issues stemming from massive recalls, Toyota is back on top. Toyota outsold GM by nearly half-million units worldwide. Four years after the primary time we asked Motor Trend readers this query, we’re soliciting for your thoughts: What does the changing of the guard mean for the automobile industry Does it matter

Toyota’s global sales increased 23 percent over the prior year, but within the U.S., its market share is up just 1.5 percent. While that increase seems minute, Toyota now has 14.4 percent of the U.S. market share or 3.5 percent behind GM in its home market. Within the U.S., GM sold nearly 2.6 million vehicles in comparison with Toyota’s 2.08 million units.

Read a Motor Trend blog in this subject: Toyota is not any. 1 Again. Why it’s a Pyrrhic Automotive Victory

Volkswagen completed 2012 with regards to GM, with sales off about 220,000 globally. With Japan, the U.S., and German automakers fighting for global sales domination, what do you believe you studied it means for the car industry Within the U.S. or worldwide, does it matter which automaker is no 1 Share your thoughts below.