General Motors sat atop the automotive world for 76-consecutive years but has been on the down slope as of late. GM has already been overtaken by Toyota for the crown of world’s largest automaker and will likely lose its number two spot to Volkswagen by year’s end. But foreign automakers aren’t the one ones gunning for GM as Ford will displace GM as the largest North American auto producer this year.
According to a new report by IHS Global Insight, Ford is set to become North America’s number one auto producer as bankruptcies ravage the industry. Ford’s North American output is actually expected to fall by 17.7 percent to 1.9 million units this year, but that should be enough to keep the Blue Oval ahead of GM. IHS expects GM North America to produce 1.7 million this year.
GM’s production numbers are expected to drop off this year as the embattle automaker braces for bankruptcy. GM will shutter 13 of its North American plants for up to 9 weeks this summer.
Chrysler ’s bankruptcy will also clear the way for Honda to move up to the number three spot. In fact, Chrysler will produce just over 900,000 vehicles this year – a decrease of more than 50 percent from last year – sliding the automaker all the way down to number five on IHS’ list. Toyota will finish just ahead of Chrysler with 904,262 units produced.
