The Japanese group disclosed it had sold 2.35m vehicles in the first quarter of this year, a 9 per cent jump, overtaking GM for the first time, which sold 2.26m in the same period.

The US carmaker has been the world leader in car sales for 76 years.

Toyota global sales are forecast to reach 9.34m units in 2007, due extensively to its booming export deliveries.

The Camry is still the biggest-selling car in the US market.

US buying trends have changed radically over the past few years as consumers have increasingly opted for smaller vehicles due to rising fuel costs and environmental concerns. These trends helped propel Toyota into top spot in 2007.

GM's demise is far from certain as sales increased by 3 per cent thus far in 2007.

The Detroit-based car company has been re-organising its business over the past year following losses of $10.4 bn in 2005.

The workforce has been trimmed, plants have been closed and fleet sales have been decreased – all moves that contributed to a reduction in sales but could still make more money in the longer term.