Detroit Report Part 1: Which Automakers Won and Lost in 2003

Toyota, for example, announced that it set a new sales record--the automaker's eighth in a row--buy selling more than 1.85 million vehicles. "In fact," said Don Esmond, Toyota senior vice president and general manager, "for the first time ever, Toyota division finished ahead of both Ford and Chevy as the No. 1 selling car brand in America."

"For the first time ever, Toyota division finished ahead of both Ford and Chevy as the No. 1 selling car brand in America." (Photo: Toyota Canada)

Meanwhile, Toyota's luxury brand, Lexus, also recorded all-time records with sales of 259,755 units in 2003, an 11 percent increase from 2002, continuing to hold onto the No. 1 luxury brand spot that had been the bragging rights of Cadillac for decades up until four years ago.

Dr. Helmut Panke, chairman of the board, BMW AG, noted that the company's sales declined during the first six months of 2003 as it had a model change over to the new 5 Series and then sales of the fifth generation car shot

Holding onto the No. 1 luxury brand spot, Lexus also recorded all-time records. (Photo: Lexus)

up 37 percent for the last half of the year. All in all, the company delivered about 928,000 units during the year, up by 15,000 units or 1.6 percent from 2002. Its MINI brand sold 175,000 units, up 31,000 cars from 2002, and its new Rolls-Royce Phantom sold 300 units--almost half to customers in the U.S.

Panke predicted further growth for BMW in 2004, with the American market remaining a key focus. "In 2003, for the first time, the U.S. became the single market with the highest sales volume for the BMW Group," he explained, but said that the company is also seeing important growth in China as well.