Toyota remains top automaker in global sales at 10.23 million vehicles, beating Volkswagen, GM

TOKYO – Toyota stayed top in global sales at 10.23 million vehicles in 2014, taking that auto industry crown for the third year straight.

But in the numbers released Wednesday, Toyota Motor Corp. was less upbeat about the future. The Japanese automaker says it expects to sell fewer trucks and cars this year, at 10.15 million vehicles, down 1 percent year-on-year.

Volkswagen AG of Germany has said it sold 10.14 million vehicles in 2014. Detroit-based General Motors Co. was third at 9.92 million vehicles, a company record. GM gave its tally earlier this month.