GM global sales hit 9.7M last year, beats VW

DETROIT - General Motors (GM) says it sold 9.71 million cars and trucks last year. That's up 4 percent from a year ago, but probably not enough to beat Toyota for the global sales crown. 

Toyota is scheduled to release its sales numbers next week. It sold roughly 9.7 million cars and trucks last year, so if it shows any increase it will be the top-selling company for the second year in a row.

GM was the top-selling carmaker for more than seven decades before losing the title to Toyota in 2008.