According to automotive analysts, Toyota is moving closer to overtaking the world’s largest automaker General Motors Corp. In its aim to move a notch higher, Toyota is releasing a thrilling new Corolla that can efficiently compete with Honda Civic and Nissan Tiida Latio. ”The Corolla will obviously put pressure on the Tiida and the Civic,” says Ashvin Chotai, London-based automotive analyst for Global Insight Inc.

In the ironic words of Kermit the Frog, “it isn’t easy being green”. The irony is noted by our present day efforts to conserve energy or in other words become “green”. The notion behind this movement is fueled by two variables: cost and the well being of our global environment. As gas prices at the pump skyrocket, the demand for better gas mileage rises. Also, as fears of global warming start to materialize, the demand of a “green” vehicles rise as well. We have seen automobile manufacturers, who produce hybrids, capitalize on this sellers market, created by the two variables above. Toyota Motor Corporation has been marketing to our fears and petrol price woes with the Prius for just about seven years now in the US. Has the existence of the Prius over the past seven years placated our fears? Many of us would like to think so, especially those of you who are Prius owners. However, the sad truth is that it falls short of the marketed claims, producing unsatisfactory results across the board.

Volkswagen AG, Europe’s largest automaker and the biggest overseas car maker in China has started selling Magotan sedans in the country and in the process challenging Toyota Motor Corp.’s Camry which is equipped with high quality Toyota thermostat.

The Magotan sedans are equipped with 1.8-liter or 2-liter engine and have a base price starting 192,800 yuan or $25,000 basing in an email coming from Volkswagen. On the other hand Toyota’s China-made Camry has a price that starts at 197,800 yuan more expensive than the Magotan by 5,000 yuan.

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The Wolfsburg-based automaker plans to add as many as 14 new models in China by the end of 2009 in an effort to maintain its market lead. Likewise, the automaker’s Santana and Jetta sedans has claimed the top two spots in the first-half sales rankings in the country and comparing that with Camry which went on sale last year and was only able to obtain the fourth rank.

Japanese car manufacturers, most prominently Toyota, has almost taken over of the US market. The car manufacturer is now poised to take the place of Ford Motor Company as the country’s largest manufacturer of cars. Helped by a loyal buyer base and the positive acceptance of the American public of the Toyota Prius, the company has increased its sales not only in its Toyota division but also in its luxury division Lexus. Both divisions have just posted their sales figures for last month and both show an increase in the number of units sold.

The Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. has improved its sales by 5.1 percent which better than January of last year. Last month’s sales of 175,850 units marks their best ever January sales performance.