What Volkswagen Needs To Dominate The Auto Industry

FORTUNE -- Volkswagen AG's new Passat midsize family sedan this fall will tussle for buyers with formidable competitors like Toyota's (TM) Camry, Honda's (HMC) Accord, Ford's (F) Fusion and Chevrolet's (GM) Malibu. Midsize sedans play in the the fattest, most important slice of the U.S. automotive market, one where companies fight the hardest to gain share. Thorough May, midsize cars comprised more than a half of all cars sold in the U.S. and more than a quarter of all vehicles sold, including minivans and sport utilities. Passat has been in the U.S.

The Good News Economist submits: On Thursday, the Ford Motor Co (F), said gross sales rose 43% in March. The increase -- which mirrored (yet surpassed) a similar gain in February -- had Ford registering the highest monthly sales increase since February 1984.

Sahil Alvi submits: Volkwagen Group (VLKAY.PK) is the most dramatic growth story of the automobile industry in the last half a decade or so.

(DETROIT) — Toyota has once again dethroned General Motors as the world’s top-selling automaker. The Japanese company sold 9.7 million cars and trucks worldwide in 2012, although it’s still counting. GM sold 9.29 million. Both companies saw higher sales, but Toyota’s growth was far larger as it rolled out new versions of popular models like the Camry. GM executives promised sales growth this year, especially in the U.S. Both companies say publicly that they don’t care about who wins, but concede that the crown is an important morale booster for employees.

(DETROIT) — Toyota has once again dethroned General Motors as the world’s top-selling automaker. The Japanese company sold 9.7 million cars and trucks worldwide in 2012, although it’s still counting. GM sold 9.29 million. Both companies saw higher sales, but Toyota’s growth was far larger as it rolled out new versions of popular models like the Camry. GM executives promised sales growth this year, especially in the U.S. Both companies say publicly that they don’t care about who wins, but concede that the crown is an important morale booster for employees.

Wall Street Strategies submits:by David Silver