Money | Toyota Toyota to Regain Title of No. 1 Automaker It posts big gains in the US again By John Johnson Posted Nov 24, 2012 11:22 AM CST Copied This Feb. 19 file photo shows a line of 2012 Prius sedans at a Toyota dealership in the south Denver suburb of Littleton, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File) GM replaced Toyota last year as the world's No. 1 automaker, thanks in part to the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, along with a spate of embarrassing recalls for the Japanese company. It will be a short-lived reign. Toyota is on track to sell 9.7 million vehicles and easily reclaim the top spot in what the Los Angeles Times calls a "remarkable turnaround." A big part of that is because of the US, where Toyota has sold 1.7 million cars and trucks, up an impressive 30%. That's 14.4% of the market, making Toyota the No. 1 brand here in retail sales. It's still having trouble with recalls, but a well-received lineup of 11 new or redesigned vehicles, including the Prius, seems to have overcome the negative headlines. Read These Next New Fox star, 23, misses first day after car troubles. Iran's supreme leader makes first public comments since ceasefire. Man accused of killing his daughters might be dead. Her blood isn't compatible with anyone else's. Report an error