The US giant reported global sales of 9,369,524 yesterday, while Toyota said its total was 9.366 million.

GM has been the world's bestselling car brand for 77 years.

The race has been too close to call thus far, with the Japanese carmaker saying earlier this month that it sold 9.370m vehicles last year.

Doubts also surrounded GM's ability to maintain global dominance when its home market fell by 6 per cent.

At the time Toyota recorded a sales increase of 3.1 per cent in the US.

GM is now expected to concentrate on returning its North American business to profitability as well as capitalising on sales growth in the emerging markets.