Toyota breaks 90-year record, dethrones GM as US sales leader - Newstrends
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Toyota breaks 90-year record, dethrones GM as US sales leader

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Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Corporation made history by outselling General Motors Company in the United States in 2021, marking the first time the latter has not led US auto sales for a full year since 1931.

The latest report by Reuters said Toyota sold 2.332 million vehicles in the United States in 2021, compared with 2.218 million for General Motors, the automakers said on Tuesday.
GM’s US sales were down 13% for 2021 – and 43% in the fourth quarter – while Toyota was up 10% for the year.
GM last had lower sales in 2010 at 2.202 million.
For all of 2020, GM’s US sales totaled 2.55 million, compared with Toyota’s 2.11 million and Ford Motor Co’s 2.04 million.
Last year was marred by a shortage of semiconductors used heavily in vehicles, forcing automakers to focus on their most profitable models.
GM said on Tuesday it expected the US economic growth would boost the total light-duty vehicle industry sales from around 15 million in 2021 to around 16 million in 2022.
GM has been the largest seller of vehicles in the United States since 1931, when it surpassed Ford, according to data from industry publication, Automotive News.
Senior Vice President Jack Hollis said the automaker is “grateful” for its loyal customers, but “being No. 1 is never a focus or priority.”
The Japanese automaker does not see it as sustainable that it can retain its U.S. sales lead and had no plans to use the 2021 accomplishment in any kind of advertising, he added. Toyota had been credited by analysts for weathering the chip shortage better than other automakers.
GM spokesman Jim Cain said the Detroit automaker had a very strong sales year in the United States in full-size SUVs and pickup trucks as it had focused on profitability, and as the supply of semiconductors improved, so would sales.
“I wouldn’t rush out if I were (Toyota), and get a ‘We’re No. 1’ tattoo,” he said.
GM under Chief Executive Mary Barra also emphasized profitability over volume, abandoning such money-losing markets as Europe and Russia.
For the entire industry, sales finished 2021 at just under 15 million vehicles, according to Wards Intelligence, with the annual sales rate in the month of December finishing at 12.44 million. The full-year number was well below the five-year average of 17.3 million from 2015-2019.
IHS Markit forecasts U.S. sales are expected to reach nearly 15.5 million in 2022.
Toyota sees industry sales jumping to 16.5 million this year, with demand even higher if the industry can boost production further, with its own sales topping 2.4 million.
“If you would have asked me to predict how the year was going to go at the beginning of (last) January, I would have gotten it all wrong because this whole microchip shortage just came out of left field and it wreaked a lot of havoc,” Hyundai Motor America (005380.KS) sales chief Randy Parker said in an interview. “But at the same time, it sharpened our skill set.”
“I’m very bullish on 2022,” he added. Hyundai’s U.S. sales last year rose 19% to more than 738,000 vehicles, including a record number on the retail side.

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X90 Plus Leads Jetour’s Abuja Drive for Bigger SUV Market Share

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X90 Plus Leads Jetour’s Abuja Drive for Bigger SUV Market Share

 

Jetour Nigeria is taking its premium SUV battle to Abuja, with the seven-seater X90 Plus set to headline the Jetour Experience Abuja from September 22 to 24, as the automaker moves to capture a larger share of Nigeria’s fast-growing high-end family SUV market.

The three-day motoring showcase will give prospective buyers, families and auto enthusiasts in the Federal Capital Territory and neighbouring states an opportunity to experience the X90 Plus and other models in the Jetour range through test drives and hands-on demonstrations.

The Abuja showcase follows the success of the brand’s earlier Jetour Experience in Lagos, where strong customer interest, inquiries and sales momentum reportedly encouraged the company to take the initiative to the Federal Capital Territory.

Jetour Nigeria said growing demand from customers in Abuja and neighbouring states was a major factor behind the decision to expand the experience to the northern market.

Positioned as a full-sized family SUV, the X90 Plus is designed for executives and families seeking a combination of space, technology, performance and comfort without the price tag associated with some luxury SUVs.

The model is offered with 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre turbocharged engines paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The powertrain produces up to 254 horsepower and 390Nm of torque.

Inside the cabin, the X90 Plus features a 12.3-inch LCD touchscreen infotainment system, panoramic sunroof, Sony premium audio system and wireless charging.

Its safety and driver-assistance features include a 360-degree panoramic camera, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning and electronic stability systems.

Jetour’s growing profile in Nigeria has also earned the brand recognition from the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA), which named it Fastest Growing Auto Brand, while it was also recognised as Auto Brand of the Year at the Nigeria Transport Lecture.

To support its expanding customer base, Jetour Nigeria, the sole authorised distributor, operates through seven accredited dealer partners across the country: Elizade Nigeria Limited, Mandilas Autos, R.T. Briscoe Motors, Germaine Auto Centre, Kojo Motors, Tab Autos Limited and New Era Auto Vehicle Services Limited.

The Abuja Experience is expected to provide Jetour with another platform to engage potential customers and reinforce its position in Nigeria’s increasingly competitive SUV market.

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Jetour Takes Award-Winning Dashing, Other SUVs to Abuja

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Jetour Takes Award-Winning Dashing, Other SUVs to Abuja

Motorists in Abuja are set for a close encounter with Jetour’s award-winning Dashing and other models as Jetour Nigeria moves to deepen its foothold in the nation’s capital with the Jetour Experience Abuja, beginning September 22.

The three-day motoring event, which runs until September 24, is expected to draw prospective buyers and automobile enthusiasts to a hands-on experience featuring test drives, product demonstrations and direct engagement with Jetour’s seven authorised dealers and product specialists.

The participating dealer network comprises Elizade Nigeria Limited, Kojo Motors, Mandilas Autos, Germaine Auto Centre, R.T. Briscoe, Tab Autos and New Era Auto Vehicle Services Limited.

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The Abuja Experience follows the success of the Lagos edition, which attracted thousands of visitors for test drives and direct engagement with product specialists. According to the organisers, strong demand and inquiries from motorists in Abuja and neighbouring states prompted the expansion of the event to the Federal Capital Territory.

The Dashing has gained attention in Nigeria’s competitive compact SUV segment for its combination of modern styling, technology, performance and competitive pricing.

The SUV is available with 1.5-litre and 1.6-litre turbocharged engines, producing up to 145kW of power and 290Nm of torque, paired with six- or seven-speed dual-clutch transmissions.

Its features include a 15.6-inch central touchscreen infotainment system, panoramic sunroof, wireless charging and smartphone integration.

For safety, the vehicle comes with a 360-degree surround-view camera, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, blind-spot detection and multiple airbags.

Beyond vehicle sales, the authorised dealers provide warranty, genuine spare parts and after-sales support to Jetour customers across their respective locations.

The Abuja Experience is expected to strengthen customer engagement and give motorists in the FCT a closer look at Jetour’s growing range of vehicles, while further expanding the brand’s footprint in the northern market.

 

Jetour Takes Award-Winning Dashing, Other SUVs to Abuja

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Jetour T2 PHEV Storms Abuja as Jetour Steps Up Nigeria Expansion

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Jetour T2 PHEV Storms Abuja as Jetour Steps Up Nigeria Expansion

Abuja is set for a major dose of electrified motoring as Jetour Nigeria takes its technologically advanced T2 Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) to the nation’s capital for an experiential showcase aimed at deepening the brand’s growing footprint in Nigeria.

The Jetour T2 PHEV will headline the Jetour Experience Abuja, scheduled for September 22 to 24, 2026, following the strong reception recorded at the brand’s Lagos edition earlier this year, where customer participation, test drives and sales enquiries reportedly surged.

The move to Abuja, according to Jetour Nigeria, was largely driven by growing demand from motorists in the Federal Capital Territory who have been seeking an opportunity to experience the brand’s latest vehicles, particularly the T2 PHEV.

The Abuja activation will feature test drives, product demonstrations and interactions with Jetour’s technical and sales teams, giving prospective buyers first-hand access to the SUV and its plug-in hybrid technology.

Jetour Nigeria, the sole authorised distributor of the brand in the country, is also leveraging an expanding nationwide dealer network comprising Elizade Nigeria Limited, New Era AutoVehicle Services Limited, Kojo Motors, Germaine Auto Centre, TAB Autos Limited, R.T. Briscoe Motors and Mandilas Autos to strengthen sales and after-sales support across key markets.

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The company said the decision to stage the Abuja experience was also driven by requests from patrons and prospective customers in the capital who want an opportunity to experience Jetour’s latest products, including the technologically advanced T2 PHEV.

The Jetour T2 PHEV combines rugged SUV capability with hybrid efficiency, advanced technology and comprehensive safety features, positioning it as an attractive option for Nigerian motorists seeking performance, comfort and improved fuel economy.

Since its entry into the Nigerian market, Jetour has recorded growing acceptance, with its SUV range gaining popularity among families, professionals and adventure enthusiasts.

The brand’s expanding customer base has been supported by competitive pricing, after-sales service and vehicles engineered to cope with diverse road and driving conditions across Nigeria.

Jetour’s growing reputation has also been reinforced by a number of local and international recognitions spanning product quality, design, innovation and customer satisfaction.

Its vehicles have also earned strong global safety ratings, with the T2 achieving a 5-Star NCAP safety rating, placing it among vehicles meeting high benchmarks for occupant safety.

The Abuja event is expected to feature test drives, product demonstrations and direct interactions with Jetour’s technical and sales teams, giving visitors an opportunity to experience the brand’s products and understand the technology behind the T2 PHEV.

Beyond showcasing its expanding SUV lineup, Jetour said the Abuja activation reflects its commitment to bringing the brand’s ownership and customer experience closer to motorists across Nigeria.

With the Federal Capital Territory as its next destination, Jetour is looking to build on the momentum generated in Lagos while deepening its footprint in one of Nigeria’s most important automotive markets.

 

Jetour T2 PHEV Storms Abuja as Jetour Steps Up Nigeria Expansion

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