Toyota has widened its global sales lead over General Motors as its factories recovered from last year's earthquake.
The Japanese car maker said it sold 7.4 million vehicles around the world up to September, up 28% from a year earlier.
That is 450,000 more cars than General Motors, which said it sold 6.95 million cars and trucks.
GM's global sales are up 2.5% for the first nine months and the company said it will stay focused on profitable growth.
Toyota could face a slowdown in the fourth quarter as sales fall in China.
Anti-Japanese sentiment flared in China after Japan nationalised tiny islands in the East China Sea. The move set off violent protests in China and a widespread call to boycott Japanese goods.
