An Insider's Take on How Toyota Dethroned GM to Become the World's Top Carmaker

Toyota reported today that, for the first time, its first quarter worldwide sales have topped those of General Motors. According to the Associated Press, Toyota had a sales lead of almost 5% over GM in the first quarter of 2007, with Toyota selling 2.35 million cars to GM's 2.26 million cars. Certainly, many have predicted that this day would come, and I will put myself among those who are now saying "I told you so" to GM. During my brief time as a GM insider, I saw first-hand how it was only a matter of time before Toyota would overtake GM as the world's top carmaker.

Twelve years ago, I interned at Delphi Chassis System, which was then part of General Motors and is now independent from GM. As a young mechanical engineer who had just finished my junior year of college, I was excited to apply what I had learned in the automotive world. My assignment with Delphi Chassis was to perform various tests on several types of shocks and struts. Even though they were owned by GM, Delphi Chassis designed and produced car parts for not only General Motors' brands such as Pontiac and Chevrolet, but also for outside car producers such as Toyota.